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

The company locked the workers out of the plant.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/carnegie/peopleevents/pande04.html

To understand how Carnegie's company broke the union at the Homestead mills, it is important to know some background information. The Homestead Strike of 1892 was a labor dispute between the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers (AA) and the Carnegie Steel Company, owned by industrialist Andrew Carnegie. The strike was a result of a wage cut proposed by the company, which the workers vehemently opposed. Here are the key steps in how Carnegie's company broke the union at the Homestead mills:

1. Wage Cut Proposal: The Carnegie Steel Company proposed a substantial wage reduction for the workers at the Homestead mills. This move was met with outrage from the workers, who relied heavily on their wages to support their families.

2. Refusal to Bargain: The union, represented by the Amalgamated Association, began negotiations with the company to prevent the wage reduction. However, the company, led by Henry Clay Frick, rejected all offers made by the union, leaving the workers feeling helpless and betrayed.

3. Lockout: As the negotiations reached an impasse, the company executed a lockout strategy. They closed the Homestead mills and refused to allow the union workers to enter the premises. This action left thousands of workers without jobs and created a tense atmosphere between the company and the union.

4. Strike and Violence: In response to the lockout, the union called for a strike, with workers picketing outside the Homestead mills. The strike escalated into violence when company-hired guards and Pinkerton detectives attempted to gain access to the mills by boat. A battle ensued between the guards and the workers, resulting in casualties on both sides.

5. State Intervention: Due to the violent nature of the strike, Pennsylvania Governor Robert Pattison intervened. He ordered state militia troops to restore order and protect the company's interests. The presence of the militia significantly weakened the workers' position and shifted the balance of power towards the company.

6. Decline of Union Power: The state militia effectively crushed the strike, and the union's ability to exert influence over the company rapidly diminished. Many workers were eventually forced to return to work under unfavorable conditions, including the original wage reduction proposed by the company. This marked the decline of the Amalgamated Association's power and influence in the steel industry.

In summary, the Carnegie Steel Company broke the union at the Homestead mills through a combination of refusing to bargain, executing a lockout strategy, employing violence to suppress the strike, and utilizing state intervention to undermine the union's influence.