In November 1909, thousands of factory workers walked off the job to
protest the terrible working conditions in New York City factories.
Joining the picket lines was dangerous, with thugs and police officers
harassing picketers, but the protests stirred action. Many factory
owners finally agreed to some of the workers' demands and improved
conditions. But nothing changed for workers at the Triangle Shirtwaist
Factory, and those workers would pay a high price for the company's
dangerous conditions. In 1911, a devastating fire swept through the
Triangle factory, killing 146 workers. In the months following the
tragedy, the rights of workers finally gained real traction as the state
government formed a safety commission and enacted new safety laws.