| The Triangle Fire | | | ALEX I. EDWARDS | FIT |

This paper speaks of the tragedy that took place in 1911, which in turn became a major clash between management and labor. However, end the end brought about new regulations and reforms that are still be used today. |

If it weren't for the tragedy that took places many years ago, the lives sacrificed unknowing by the individuals who lost their lives in this tragedy, we today could be still working in hazardous, unfavorable conditions, long torturous hours, and next to nothing pay. The industrial period brought on many changes because of the united from of the NWTUL and NLA. The Labor Relations Process book discusses the Unions that developed and grew in this time period. There is a reason why we are required to have adequate fire escape routes. Fire alarms, fire safety plans in place, fire extinguishers available and ready to use. Annual or quarterly checks regarding compliance with regulations of public safety (1962). The fire at the Triangle Waist Company in New York City, which claimed the lives of 146 young immigrant workers, is one of the worst, traumatic, disasters since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. The incident had great significance to this day because it highlights the inhumane working conditions to which industrial workers were subjected too. To many, its ugliness epitomize the boundaries of industrialism. The catastrophe still remains in the shared memory of the nation and of the international labor movement. The victims of this catastrophe are still celebrated as martyrs at the hands of industrial greed (Holley et al p 44). Stein begins his book with March 25, 1911,a fire broke out at the Triangle Waist Factory in New York City. A total of 146 people were dead due to this fire in a matter of 18 minutes. Fire consumed the 8th, 9th, and 10th floors of the then Asch Building, occupied by the Triangle Waist Company, causing the death of these 146 workers. Firemen came quickly onto the scene, however were unable to save the workers trapped by locked doors. Many ended up jumping to their deaths or burned alive inside the burning building. The firemen's ladders at that time did not reach above the 6th floor, nor did their water hoses. The nets were found to be insufficient to blunt these workers' fall. The remaining workers' died in the collapse of the fire escape ladder, which did not reach the ground (p 9). The uproar of the public over the tragedy soon built, which ignited rumors that the doors were locked and that the owners' greed is what prevented the implementation of basic fire and safety measures. The National Women's Trade Union League (NWTUL), which were an association of middle class and working class women, channeled the growing outrage over the loss of these individuals life. The League helped organize meetings to protest against unsafe working conditions and demanded reforms. It started with the working class women coming together, which soon lead to the middle class women backing them as well. In turn it also gave the public notice of their agenda (1962). Thousands attended and endorsed a resolution advising the state legislature to form a Bureau of Fire Prevention, and to appoint a permanent citizens' committee to obtain new protective labor legislation. The International Ladies' Garment Workers Union organized workers in the women's clothing trade. All were ready for action against the horrible working conditions. Unfortunately for the workers, though, many shops were still in the hands of crooked owners, who ignored basic workers' rights and imposed unsafe working conditions on their employees. Protesting voices arose, taken aback and angry at the lack of concern and the greed that had made this possible. The people demanded restitution, justice, and action that would safeguard the vulnerable and the oppressed. The public was calling for action to improve the unsafe conditions in workshops could be heard from everywhere, from the mainstream conservative to the progressive and union press (Stein p102). Workers were willing to offer testimonies, support mobilization, and demand that Triangle owners Harris and Blanck be brought to trial. It is at that moment in time, that the role of strong unions could have in fact partake in assisting in helping prevent such tragedies became clear. Workers organized in powerful unions would be more conscious of their rights, better able to obtain safe working conditions, and much more (Von Derhle p 99). On April 11, a grand jury indicted Harris and Blanck on seven counts, charging them with manslaughter in the second degree under section 80 of the Labor Code, which mandated that doors should not be locked during working hours. December 27, twenty-three days after the trial had started, a jury actually acquitted Blanck and Harris of any wrong doing. The task of the jurors had been to determine whether the owners knew that the doors were locked at the time of the fire. Routinely, the only way out for workers at quitting time was through an opening on the Green Street. This where all pocketbooks were inspected to prevent stealing. Worker after worker testified to their lack of ability to open the doors to the only escape route, the stairs to the Washington Place exit, because the Greene Street side stairs were completely consumed by fire. There was testimony to support all of this (Stein p80). "In common with the other branches of the clothing trade, the dangers to the women workers are not inherent in the industry itself, but are due to the conditions under which manufacture is conducted. The hazards of death or injury from fire that must be daily assumed by the women worker in loft factories on Manhattan Island are terrific. But the overcrowding of work rooms, long periods of overtime, with irregular daily schedules, running from ten to fourteen hours, with consequent over-fatigue and exhaustion, the speeding up of both workers and machines, which keeps nerves and muscles in continued tension, are factors that from day to day seriously impair the health and vitality of the women workers. No amount of cleanliness and convenience in the work rooms can offset the injurious effects resulting from long, irregular working hours and nervous strain." (New York State p 277-278) It is assumed the owners were well aware of the issues going on at their own factory, but they didn't care as long as they received their profits. The defense was provided by Max Steuer, one of the best New York City lawyers at the time, successfully casts doubts on the validity of the witnesses' accounts. The trial finished on December 27 with a not guilty verdict. Twenty-three individual civil suits were brought against the Triangle owners in 1911. Harris and Blanck finally settle by paying $75 per life lost (Stein p86). The pressure from the reformers moved the city government at the time to get involved as well. In October 1911 the New York City Board of Aldermen passed an act creating the Bureau of Fire Prevention, which was aimed at ending confusion over the responsibilities of city departments and agencies for inspections, codes creation, and enforcement. They convinced Governor John Dix of the merits of their point of view, whom referred them to two democrats by the name of Assemblyman Alfred Smith and Senate Majority Leader Robert F. Wagner (p209). The two politicians submitted a resolution to the legislature to appropriate funds for an investigative commission, and on June 30 1911 the resolution passed, approving the appropriation for establishing the Factory Investigative Commission (FIC) (2004). In the next few years, the new board made changes to the Municipal Building Code as well. It provided a measure of protection by requiring the existence of safety devices such as fireproof materials and stairwells, fire alarms, extinguishers, and hoses. They also prohibited smoking in factories by 1916. The Factory Investigating Committee (FIC) recommend 28 new bills to the legislature, 25 of which are passed. This new legislation brought broad changes in the organization of the Department of Labor, now invested with legislative and enforcement powers.
Stein insinuated that it established harsher punishment for violations of the labor law and the industrial code, and focuses on the very conditions that led to the great loss of life at Triangle. Provisions were made for fireproof stairways, doorways, lighting, fireproof nature of the building material, safe construction of fire escapes, and the inspection of older multi-storied buildings (p.130). Prior to the incident in 1911 a general strike was called. It was started by a 16 year girl whom disgusted with working conditions and pay. In 1909, an incident at the Triangle Factory sparked a spontaneous walkout of its 400 employees. The Women's Trade Union League, a progressive association of middle class white women, helped the young women workers picket and fence off the ones' against their stand. At a historic meeting at Cooper Union, thousands of garment workers from all over the city called for a general strike. With the cloakmakers' strike of 1910, a momentous agreement was reached, that established a grievance system in the garment industry.

References

Holley, Williams, Jennings, Kenneth M., and Wolters, Roger s. (2005) The Labor Relations Process, 10th ed. Canada
Stein, Leon (2001) .The Triangle Fire. Cornell University Press
Stein, Leon (1962) http://trianglefire.ilr.cornell.edu/legacy/legislativeReform.html
Von Drehle, David (2003) .Triangle: The Fire That Changed America. Canada
New York State Factory Investigating Commission. Preliminary Report of the Factory Investigating Commission. 1912, 3 vols. (Albany, New York: The Argus Company, printers, 1912). 1:277-278.