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Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Memorial (USA)

Contributed by Mary Anne Trasciatti (Hofstra University)

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Memorial was organized by the Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition, a not-for-profit organization in New York City (USA). 

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire occurred on March 25, 1911, claiming the lives of 146 young immigrant workers. It is one of the worst disasters since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Though it was a tragic event, the factory fire holds great significance to this day as it highlights the inhumane working conditions to which industrial workers can be subjected. To many, its horrors epitomize the extremes of industrialism.

The tragedy still dwells in the collective memory of the nation and of the international labour movement. The victims of the tragedy are still celebrated as martyrs at the hands of industrial greed. The commemoration of the 112th Anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire was held on March 24, 2023, honouring the 146 victims of the fire and continuing to stand with workers fighting for social and economic justice. 

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory: History of Collective Action

The International Ladies' Garment Workers Union organized workers in the women's clothing trade. Many of the garment workers before 1911 were unorganized, partly because they were young immigrant women intimidated by the alien surroundings. Others were more daring, though. All were ripe for action against the poor working conditions. 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 thugs and police provocation. At a historic meeting at Cooper Union, thousands of garment workers from all over the city followed young Clara Lemlich's call for a general strike.

With the cloakmakers' strike of 1910, a historic agreement was reached, that established a grievance system in the garment industry. Unfortunately for the workers, though, many shops were still in the hands of unscrupulous owners, who disregarded basic workers' rights and imposed unsafe working conditions on their employees.

(Source: https://trianglefire.ilr.cornell.edu/story/sweatshopsStrikes.html)

Legacy of the Fire

The fire led to the transformation of the labuor code of New York State and to the adoption of fire safety measures that served as a model for the whole country. Instrumental in this transformation was the work of the New York Factory Investigative Commission, which wrote thirty-six of the new labor related bills that the state legislature eventually adopted.

Also significant is the work of local governmental agencies and unions, which adopted fire safety measures and monitored conditions in factories.
 

(Source: https://trianglefire.ilr.cornell.edu/legacy/index.html)

Affiliated members

Mary Anne Trasciatti

Website

Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition

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