The main cause of the firings and reduction in wages for pullman workers was

The workers of the Pullman Company went on strike on May 11, 1894 due to wage cuts. At that time, there is a severe recession (Panic of 1983) that lowered the company’s revenue. The Pullman Company housed its workers in a ‘company town’ with rigid rules, excessive water and gas rates, and rules forbidding workers to own or buy houses. As recession is ongoing, the company president George Pullman refused to lower its rents or the prices in its stores, leaving workers very little money for food and other necessities after paying rent, resulting in the Pullman Strike.

it refers to race, i am pretty sure this was a popular term in nazi germany or something.