Brotherhoods organized by craft represented Locomotive Engineers, Conductors, Firemen, Trackmen, Switchmen, Carmen and Telegraphers. A strike conducted by railroad switchmen in Buffalo was broken by militia. When these switchmen were disciplined, the entire ARU struck the railroads on June 26, 1894. The railway switchmen were the first to act, refusing to attach Pullman cars to trains. Striking switchmen were beaten by troops and Erie County sheriff's deputies. Laura betrays Val, who is taken to the switchmen. The switchmen agreed to return to work, but the railroads blacklisted most of the workers.