Credit: Courtesy of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania Operated by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
During World War 1 organized labor entered the American railroad industry after the federal government seized and operated the railroads in order to keep war supplies moving. In 1922 railroad workers mounted a national strike in response to the rollback of worker rights and control after the war. While the B&O was willing to meet some worker demands, PRR resistance set the tone for the industry nationwide. After two months the strike failed, and PRR set up its own company-sponsored unions.
