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Date of publication: September 4, 2007

Source: The Portland Tribune

Author: Ed Hall

Excerpt from article:

Nearly 100 years ago, on March 25, 1911, a fire started at one of New York City's nonunion sweatshops – the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. Because of the fire hazards throughout the building, the fire spread rapidly and within minutes engulfed the entire upper floors.

A total of 146 workers died – almost all of them female immigrants, some as young as 15.

Out of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory tragedy grew a union of women who fought for improved working conditions and fair wages in factories. It also fueled the movement to create the New York State Factory Investigating Commission, which helped win legislation for improved factory safety standards.

In fact, many of the fire safety codes developed then are the basis for the fire safety codes used here in Portland today...