1835 Washington Navy Yard labor strike
Washington Navy Yard c. 1862 | |
| Date | July 31 – August 15, 1835 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 15 days |
| Venue | Washington Navy Yard |
| Coordinates | 38°52′24″N 76°59′49″W / 38.87333°N 76.99694°W |
| Type | Labor strike |
| Cause | Order limiting workers' lunch privileges and ten-hour day. |
| Organised by | Samuel Briggs, George Lyndall and John Miskill |
| Participants | 175 workers |
| Outcome | Strike failed in its objectives; workers returned to work. |
The Washington Navy Yard labor strike of 1835 is considered the first strike of federal civilian employees. The strike began on Wednesday July 31, 1835, and ended August 15, 1835. The strike supported the movement advocating a ten-hour workday and redressing grievances such as newly imposed lunch-hour regulations. The strike failed in its objectives for two reasons, the Secretary of the Navy refused to change the shipyard working hours and the loss of public support due to the involvement of large numbers of mechanics and laborers in the race riot popularly known as the Snow Riot or Snow Storm.