by Bonny Obrien

Created on: July 20, 2008

Kate Mullany was the labor leader of the Collar Laundry Union. Kate Mullany was a young Irish immigrant, she was born in 1845. She lived at 34 North 2nd St. in Troy NY. Kate went to work in one of the local laundries at the age of 19, when her father passed away. Kate became the breadwinner for her family, which consisted of her ill mother, older sister Mary, two younger sisters and a brother. Mary stayed and took care of the family while Kate went to work.

Kate was lucky to work at one of the commercial laundries, and it was considered a good job in 1864, and there was fierce competition for these jobs even though they were sweatshops. The woman worked 12 to 14 hours a day, 6 days a week, they earned $3 to $4 a week.
Working in the laundry was dangerous and there were unhealthy working conditions. The woman worked in oppressive heat, and after the introduction of new machinery which increased production, but also worsened the working conditions. Being a laundress was a very difficult job as they used strong chemicals, boiling water and very hot irons. There were many serious accidents working in the laundry. Also if the woman damaged any collar or shirt it would be deducted from their wages.

There were 14 commercial laundries in Troy and they employed 3,700 laundry workers.
Troy supplied most of America's detachable collars and cuffs by 1860. Kate began working in 1864 and she was only at the laundry a few short months when she decided she was not going to take the low wages and unsafe working conditions. It was then that she decided to do something about it. Kate decided to organize a labor Union for woman. With the help of Co-workers Sarah McQuillan and Esther Keegan. Starting a union would be a monumental task as the girls worked 12 to 14 hours a day and they also had household responsibilities to tend to. At the time there were no meeting halls to go to, and to discuss the Union, It was dangerous and many were waiting to take their jobs, but through hard work and determination and the encouragement from the Iron molders Union Kate and Esther Keegan organized about 300 woman in Febuary 1864 into the first female Union in the country. Soon after the formation of the Union, Wednesday at noon on Febuary 23, 1865 about 300 woman went on strike.

Kate then met with the women to talk about their demands, they wanted 20 to 25 percent wage increase, there were also major concerns regarding the introduction of starching machines, as they were scalding hot to handle.
The

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