Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford cover image

Steel and Kindness: Clash of the Skyscrapers

Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

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Labor Struggles and Skyscraper Innovations

This chapter delves into the Pullman workers' strike that halted rail traffic, emphasizing their fight for labor rights against powerful figures like George Pullman. It also highlights the ethical dilemmas faced by business leaders in the construction industry, particularly the Starrett brothers, who sought to improve worker conditions while facing intense competition. Through innovative practices on a construction site, the narrative illustrates how empathy and efficiency can coexist, ultimately transforming labor relationships.

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