How did Carnegie's company break the union at the Homestead mills?

To understand how Carnegie's company broke the union at the Homestead mills, we need to dive into history. This event, known as the Homestead Strike, occurred in 1892 at the Carnegie Steel Company's Homestead plant in Pennsylvania. Here's an explanation of what happened:

1. Background: At that time, labor unions were gaining strength in their efforts to secure improved working conditions and fair wages for workers. The Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers (AAISW) represented skilled workers at the Homestead mill.

2. Negotiations and Locked-out Workers: Due to financial difficulties, Carnegie's company, managed by Henry Clay Frick, sought to cut costs by reducing wages and breaking the AAISW's control over the plant. They began negotiations with the union, but when they failed to reach an agreement, Frick locked out the workers on June 30, 1892.

3. Hiring Replacement Workers (Scabs): To keep the plant operating, Frick hired a private detective agency to bring in replacement workers, commonly referred to as "scabs." This move further strained the relationship between the company and the AAISW.

4. Violence Erupts: As tensions escalated, a standoff ensued between the locked-out workers and the newly hired replacement workers, protected by Pinkerton detectives brought in by Frick. On July 6, violence erupted, resulting in a clash known as the Battle of Homestead. Several people were killed or injured.

5. Outcome: The battle ended with the surrender of the Pinkertons, but the plant remained under the control of the company. Later, state militia was deployed to ease the unrest, and the AAISW was eventually defeated. The union's power was diminished, and workers' rights at Homestead were significantly weakened.

In summary, Carnegie's company broke the union at the Homestead mills by locking out workers, bringing in replacement workers, and using force (Pinkerton detectives) to suppress the protests and regain control of the plant. The violent confrontation further weakened the union's position and contributed to its eventual defeat.