What labor issue was at the center of the Great Railroad Strike of 1877?

The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 was primarily sparked by significant wage cuts implemented by railroad companies in the wake of economic downturns. This event marked one of the first major national strikes in the United States and was a response to several cuts in wages that railroad workers faced. The workers were frustrated by the reduction of their pay while the freight and passenger traffic continued to be robust, which they felt unjustly benefited the companies and their shareholders at their expense.

The strike began in West Virginia after the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad reduced wages for the third time in a year. As workers across various railroads joined in solidarity, the strike escalated, leading to widespread disruptions in rail traffic and transportation. The national scale and intensity of the strike illustrated the growing discontent among workers regarding how businesses addressed labor issues during economic crises, focusing primarily on wage reductions rather than improving working conditions or job security.

Other choices, while relevant to labor issues at different times and contexts, do not encapsulate the root cause of the Great Railroad Strike as wage cuts did. The focus on wage cuts highlights a key element of labor relations during this era and sets the stage for future labor movements and strikes, solidifying its importance in U.S. labor history.