Although overall employment increased, this came with poor overall working conditions, which put the discontent of American employees into focus.
During this time, with the aid of communists, industrial unionism was emerging in New York City's laundries.
Laundry worker unionization took a while to achieve, as it was impeded by anti-union tactics and the overall poverty of employees.
Gradually, laundry workers were unionized, including through the organizing efforts of Jessie Taft in Harlem, and related walk-outs and strikes.
Its successful efforts in organizing laundry workers helped inspire unions in other industries as well.