Historic 1916 Strike: New York Messenger Boys Unite

In November 1916, New York Citys messenger boys organized a strike, driven by a demand for better working conditions and pay. This photograph captures a pivotal moment, with the boys gathered around a worker known as a scab. This term refers to someone who crosses picket lines to work during a strike, thereby undermining the collective efforts of the striking workers. The scene highlights the tension present in labor disputes during this era, revealing the challenges young workers faced in advocating for their rights.

The strike came amid broader discussions about child labor, as many young boys were employed in tough jobs like messaging without adequate protections. While the focus of this particular moment is on the confrontation between strikers and the scab, it reflects a significant chapter in American labor history. The actions of these boys were part of a larger movement advocating for labor reform, ultimately contributing to critical changes in labor laws and child welfare regulations in the decades that followed.