February 16, 1880

  • William Steinway’s repeated demand that the varnishers should return to work before he negotiates with them provokes a factory-wide workers walk-out. Even the polishers working in Steinway Hall join the strike.
  • The workers demand 10% – 20% pay raise, the reduction of the number of “green hands” (apprentices) and 50% increase of “green hands” starting pay (from $5 to $10). If William Steinway agrees to the latter demand, this would lead to the reduction in the number of available skilled workers, which would give the existing ones better leverage for negotiation further increase in wages.