What happens to Jurgis' job? Why does this happen?

He finds a foreman in one of the packinghouses that offers him a job pushing a truck, but when Jurgis returns the next day to start work, the foreman tells him that he was mistaken and that there is no work after all. When Jurgis goes to the saloons he finds out that he is on the blacklist and that he will not be able to find work in packing houses all across the country.

He also gets a job at a factory produces harvesting machinery for farmers. This job is really good. One day Jurgis shows up for work, however, and finds a sign on the door that states that his department of the harvester works will be closed until further notice.