Final answer:
The 1894 Pullman Strike, initiated by workers in response to wage cuts, was not approved by a union initially but later received backing from the American Railway Union. The federal government's intervention defeated the strike, leading to a negative public opinion of labor movements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 1894 Pullman Strike was a significant event in American labor history. In response to wage cuts and poor living conditions in the company-owned town, workers of the Pullman Company went on strike. Although they were members of the American Railway Union (ARU), which was led by Eugene Debs, the strike was not originally sanctioned by the union itself, as it began as a local act by Pullman workers. The ARU, however, later supported the strike by refusing to handle trains with Pullman cars, effectively making the strike nationwide.
The federal government intervened by attaching mail cars to trains to give them the pretext to send in federal troops to ensure the delivery of the mail, a service which was being disrupted by the strike. The intervention of the government turned the public opinion against the strikers and effectively crushed the strike without achieving the intended labor gains.
In conclusion, the Pullman Strike was not approved by a union at its inception but received union backing through the actions of the ARU as the strikes unfolded. It ultimately ended with considerable loss for the workers and a damaged public perception of labor strikes.