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How did the American Railway Union become involved in the Pullman Strike?

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shantytown in Chicago — Pullman Strike A shantytown on the lakefront in Chicago during the Pullman Strike and general economic downturn of 1893–94.

The American Railway Union (ARU) became involved in the Pullman Strike through a process of solidarity and organized boycott rather than an initial role in the workers' decision to walk off the job.

While the ARU was not technically involved in the Pullman workers' May 1894 strike vote, union officials were present at the meeting where the vote occurred, and workers expected the union's support. At the time, approximately 35 percent of Pullman’s workforce was represented by the ARU, which had recently achieved a successful strike against the Great Northern Railway Company.12

When the ARU held its annual convention in Chicago in June 1894, delegates sought ways to support the Pullman workers. On June 22, they voted to initiate a boycott of all trains carrying Pullman cars unless the company agreed to arbitration. When the company refused to negotiate, the boycott began, leading to a massive, widespread walkout of railroad workers led by ARU president Eugene V. Debs.12