What action did Eugene Debs advocate for US rail workers regarding Pullman cars?

Eugene Debs, a prominent labor leader and the founder of the American Railway Union, strongly advocated for a boycott of Pullman cars during the Pullman Strike of 1894. This strike arose after a major labor dispute between the Pullman Company and its workers over wage cuts and high rents in company-owned housing. Debs believed that a refusal to handle Pullman cars would be an effective means for rail workers to demonstrate their solidarity and to pressure the company as well as the federal government to address the injustices faced by workers.

By organizing a boycott, Debs aimed to disrupt railroad operations that relied on Pullman cars, effectively showing the power of collective action among workers. This strategy highlighted the importance of solidarity in labor movements, as by refusing to handle these cars, workers sought to leverage their position in negotiations, raising awareness of their plight and demanding better treatment and conditions.