What was the reason for the 1894 Pullman strike?

The Pullman strike of 1894 was primarily sparked by a significant reduction in pay for the workers at the Pullman Company. When the company faced financial difficulties, it responded by cutting wages by about 25 percent while maintaining high rents in the company-owned town where the workers lived. This created a severe financial strain on the workers, leading to widespread discontent and ultimately resulting in a strike.

The strike began as a protest against the wage cuts and the high rents, with workers seeking to regain their financial stability. It escalated into a nationwide conflict when the American Railway Union, led by Eugene V. Debs, declared solidarity with the striking workers, leading to a disruption of train services across the country. This strike highlighted the struggles workers faced during this period, including the challenges of low wages and poor living conditions, making the reduction in pay the key factor that triggered the events of the Pullman strike.