Fighting for Fair Work and Safer Jobs — Reading Comprehension

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, many people in the United States worked very hard in factories, mines, and other jobs. Conditions in many places were not safe. Children and adults often worked for long hours with little pay. There were no laws to protect them from injury or unfair treatment.

Reformers wanted to change this. Reformers were people who worked to make things better. One famous reformer was Lewis Hine. He took powerful photos of children working in factories and mines. His photos showed how hard and dangerous the jobs were. Lewis Hine said, “If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn’t need to lug a camera.” These pictures helped people understand the problem.

Another leader was Mary Harris Jones. People called her "Mother Jones." She fought for workers’ rights. She led marches and gave speeches to help workers join together. She said, “Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living.” Mother Jones believed workers deserved respect and safety.

Workers began to form unions. Unions are groups of workers who join together to ask for better pay and safer places to work. When workers work together, their voices are stronger. Sometimes workers went on strike. This means they stopped working until their bosses agreed to listen. Strikes could be risky, but they helped workers win new rights.

Many people also wanted to end child labor. Children as young as six worked in coal mines, spinning mills, and factories. Reformers argued that children should be in school, not working in dangerous jobs. Through protests, marches, and new laws, child labor slowly began to end.

New laws were made to protect workers. The government passed regulations that set rules for safety and fair pay. Factories had to make their workplaces safer. Children could not work as many hours. These changes did not happen all at once. It took many years and the hard work of many people.

The fight for fair work and safer jobs changed America. Workers gained more rights, and children had the chance to go to school. Reformers, like Lewis Hine and Mother Jones, showed that people working together can make a big difference.

Interesting Fact: In 1900, over 1.75 million children under 16 worked for pay in the United States.

Who took photos of child workers?

What did unions help workers do?

Who was called Mother Jones?

Why did workers go on strike?

How did Lewis Hine help change laws?

What was the main goal of reformers?

Children worked in mines and factories. True or false?

What does 'regulations' mean?