The Great Telegraph Strike of 1883: The Operators Walk Out In 1883 America's telegraphers struck the mightiest wire monopoly on Earth. This guide tells the strike's causes, course and long shadow. Quick facts Called by Knights of Labor Chief target Western Union Demands pay, hours, equality Scale thousands out Outcome defeat, lessons kept The strike failed in the short term and educated a generation in the long one: the operators' organisation, solidarity and grievances fed directly into the labour movement that followed. The keys went quiet for a month; the questions never did. Keep learning - how fast is 20 wpm morse code: Morse Code Works - free Morse code tools and guides. Reference chart