The middle panel describes the poor living conditions awaiting immigrants after their arrival . On the right , Shahn depicts the inhuman labor situation in the form of " lightless sweatshops ... tedious and backbreaking work with outmoded tools . " The crowd in the center of the composition represents labor unions and workers ' reform efforts . Here , a figure resembling labor leader John L. Lewis protests in front of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company , where a devastating fire occurred and the movement for the International Ladies ' Garment Workers Union ( ILGWU ) began . The lower right passageway marked ILGWU symbolizes a new and hopeful path , in the United States , paved by unionized labor
Triangle Shirtwaist Company
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire
Ben Shahn