Pennsylvania Miners Strike of 1902

a major strike of miners in the coal fields of eastern Pennsylvania from May to October 1902. It took place under the leadership of the United Mine Workers.

The strikers’ chief demands were a 20 percent wage increase, an eight-hour workday, and recognition of the union. After a government arbitration commission was established in October 1902 with President T. Roosevelt’s help, the president of the United Mine Workers, the reformer J. Mitchell, persuaded the miners to return to work. In March 1903, the commission agreed to a wage increase of 10 percent and a reduction of the workday to nine hours; however, the workers’ principal demand for recognition of their union was not met.