American Railway Union
Quick Summary
The American Railway Union (ARU) was a labor organization founded in 1893 by Eugene V. Debs. The ARU gained national prominence by successfully striking against the Great Northern Railway Company in April 1894.12
Later that year, the ARU became involved in the Pullman Strike, a major railroad strike and boycott that disrupted rail traffic across the U.S. Midwest. This strike began when workers at the Pullman Palace Car Company went on strike due to wage cuts and layoffs. The ARU voted to support these workers, leading to a boycott of Pullman cars that eventually involved around 125,000 workers in 27 states. The federal government intervened, using an injunction to break the strike and dispatching troops, which ultimately led to the strike's end and Debs's imprisonment.13
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- In re DebsBackground
…3,000 workers, organized in the American Railroad Union (ARU), walked off the job. An effective nationwide boycott of Pullman cars by ARU members was organized by the union to support the strike. By June 30, 125,000 American railway workers on 29 railroads had quit work rather than handle Pullman cars.
Read More…3,000 workers, organized in the American Railroad Union (ARU), walked off the job. An effective nationwide boycott of Pullman cars by ARU members was organized by the union to support the strike. By June 30, 125,000 American railway workers on 29 railroads had quit work rather than handle Pullman cars.
Read More - In re DebsThe trial of Eugene V. Debs
…arrested Debs and four other ARU leaders, releasing them on $10,000 bond. They were accused of being in contempt of court for violating the terms of the injunction by continuing to interfere with the railroads. Debs had indeed broken the terms of the injunctions, which were so strict as to…
Read More…arrested Debs and four other ARU leaders, releasing them on $10,000 bond. They were accused of being in contempt of court for violating the terms of the injunction by continuing to interfere with the railroads. Debs had indeed broken the terms of the injunctions, which were so strict as to…
Read More 
Pullman StrikeThe strike and boycott…workforce was represented by the American Railway Union (ARU), which had led a successful strike against the Great Northern Railway Company in April 1894. Although the ARU was not technically involved in the Pullman workers’ decision to strike, union officials had been in Pullman and at the meeting at which…
Read More…workforce was represented by the American Railway Union (ARU), which had led a successful strike against the Great Northern Railway Company in April 1894. Although the ARU was not technically involved in the Pullman workers’ decision to strike, union officials had been in Pullman and at the meeting at which…
Read More- Pullman StrikeThe strike and boycott
On June 22 the ARU delegates passed a motion to initiate a boycott unless the Pullman Company agreed to submit the dispute to arbitration by June 26. During the next three days, several committees were sent to the company in the hope of winning concessions that would make the…
Read MoreOn June 22 the ARU delegates passed a motion to initiate a boycott unless the Pullman Company agreed to submit the dispute to arbitration by June 26. During the next three days, several committees were sent to the company in the hope of winning concessions that would make the…
Read More