TU revision: strikes/events

Flint sit-down strike

1936-37- workers in United Auto Workers union sat in factory and prevented scab labour, Governor of Michigan refused to use national guard, FDR pressures GM to negotiate- 1937= finally recognised UAW. workers received 5 million wage increase, UAW membership went to 500,000 in 1938.

march on washington

1963- led by Philip Randolf for ‘Jobs and Freedom’, 250k marched, led to Civil Rights act 1964.

Shirtwaist strike

1909- 20,000 workers involved, gained a 52 hour week

Strike on Farah company

1972- by Mexican women, demanding right to union. Farah agreed 2 years later

Threat to march on Washington

1941- Randolf threatened 50,000 protesters, Roosevelt then issued executive order 8802= forbid discrimination in fed gov

Randolf-led meeting

1925- 500 porters met- ‘fight for be slaves’= formation of BCSP

founding of ‘CLWM’

1974- 3200 delegates met to discuss under representation of women in workforce, ‘we are not here to swap recipes’- Alice Wolfgang.

Salad Bowl strike

1970- led by Chavez/UFW, largest strike in history- resulted in California Agricultural Labor Relations Act 1975 and companies started recognising UFW

Great railroad Strike

1877- involved 100,000 workers, Hayes sent in troops = FAILED

Haymarket Affair

1886- bomb was thrown and 7 policemen killed- authorities blamed anarchist leaders- charged 4 and executed- had intended a peaceful gathering. KOL’s rep diminished due to its involvement

Homestead strike

1892- frick from Carnigie Steel announced 22% decrease in wages and withdrew union recognition. AA union blacked scab labour and said frick broke contracts. Pennsylvanian governor sent in 8000 militia soldiers and arrested 16 strike leaders. Union went bankrupt and by 1895- only 800 leaders. an attempted assassination of Frick- lost public sympathy/other TUs didn’t want to work with AA

pullman strike

1894- in company town, pullman cut wages by 25%, laid off 1/3 of workforce and didn’t reduce rent. negotiations failed and ARU refused to operate trains with Pullman carts- spread to 250k workers in 27 states. President Grover Cleveland sent in troops- Eugene debs arrested.

efforts of Molly Miguire’s

1873- group of Irish miners who met in secret, failed as Pinkterton agents infiltrated and 19 hanged.

PATCO strike

1981- 13,000 walked out after refused a 10,000 pay rise, better hours and pensions. violated Public Law 84-330. Reagan fired 11,000 after 48 hours and gave life employment bans, gained little public sympathy as in holidays. used scab labour. put 900 military air traffic controllers/accelerated training to decrease disruption. NO MORE STRIKES THAT YEAR.

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory

1911- due to no fire exits, 145 women killed