Massachusetts AFL-CIO Scholarship Practice Exam

Which detective agency was known for its anti-union activities?

1. FBI

2. Wackenhut

3. Pinkerton Detective Agency

4. Secret Service

The correct answer is: Pinkerton Detective Agency

The Pinkerton Detective Agency is well known for its historical involvement in anti-union activities, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Founded by Allan Pinkerton in the 1850s, the agency gained a reputation for providing private security and investigating crimes, but it also became notorious for its role in suppressing labor movements. During strikes and labor protests, particularly those associated with the rise of the industrial labor movement, Pinkerton agents were often hired by employers to infiltrate unions and break up strikes. This included the infamous use of private detectives to confront and sometimes violently suppress striking workers, as seen in events like the Homestead Strike of 1892 and the Pullman Strike of 1894. The agency's aggressive tactics and collaboration with businesses seeking to maintain control over their workforce marked it as a significant player in the effort to undermine union organizing and labor rights during this period. This historical context underlines why the Pinkerton Detective Agency is associated with anti-union activities, making it the correct choice in this question.