Robert Howard (unionist)

Robert Howard (February 8, 1845[1] – 1902) was a British-born American labor union leader and politician.

Born in Nantwich, in Cheshire, to parents from Ireland, Howard began working as a piercer in a silk mill in Macclesfield when only 8 years old.

As the leader of the union, he sought to avoid strikes through negotiation, and campaigned for a maximum nine-hour working day.

He started a campaign for a maximum ten-hour working day in Rhode Island, which was passed into law in 1885.

He served in the Senate until 1893, and remained leader of the Fall River Spinners until 1897, by then part of the Knights of Labor.