“After labor unions and other groups demanded correction of the shocking factory conditions that could produce such a tragedy, the New York State Legislature took immediate action and passed extensive safety laws. Additional worker protection legislation ultimately followed — standards for wages and hours of work, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and a state Job Service. The need to enforce these laws transformed a fledgling agency into an effective force for the protection of working people. The modern New York State Department of Labor was born.”

Tags: Labor, Legislation, Occupational safety