1916 Portland, Maine streetcar strike facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Portland streetcar strike |
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|---|---|
| Date | July 12–15, 1916 |
| Location | |
| Methods | Striking |
The Portland, Maine Streetcar Strike was a big event that happened in Portland, Maine, USA. It took place from July 12 to July 17, 1916. During this time, the people who worked on the city's streetcars stopped working. They did this to ask for better working conditions. The workers won their demands mostly because many people in the city supported them.
Contents
What Was a Streetcar?
A streetcar was like a small train that ran on tracks in the city streets. It was powered by electricity. Streetcars were a very important way for people to travel around Portland a long time ago. They helped people get to work, school, and shops.
How Did Streetcars Start in Portland?
The first electric streetcars came to Portland in 1895. By the spring of 1896, they had completely replaced the old horse-drawn carriages. Imagine a carriage pulled by horses, but on tracks! The electric streetcars were much faster and more modern.
Why Did the Workers Strike?
The streetcars in Portland were run by a company called the Portland Railroad Company. At first, this company was owned by people from Portland. But in 1912, a company from outside the state, E. W. Clark & Co., bought it.
Hard Work and Long Hours
The streetcar workers had very tough jobs. They worked 10-hour shifts, seven days a week. This meant they worked every single day for many hours! They also had to work in all kinds of weather, which could be dangerous.
Trying to Form a Union
To try and make things better, some workers decided to join a group called the Amalgamated Association of Street Railway Employees of America. This group was like a team or club for workers. It helped them ask for fair treatment and better pay together. However, when the workers tried to form this group in 1905, everyone who joined was quickly fired. This made it very hard for them to speak up for themselves.
