The 20 Largest Strikes in American History

THE 20 LARGEST STRIKES IN AMERICAN HISTORY BASED ON TOTAL CUMULATIVE DAYS OFF THE JOB UNITED MINE WORKERS OF AMERICA STRIKE OF 1946 April 1, 1946 to Dec. 7, 1946 Under the leadership of union boss John L. Lewis, workers went on strike seeking a health plan for current and retired employees. President Harry Truman placed the mines under federal control as the strike dragged on. Cumulative days off the job 70,400,000 Wo: W ORA Jo-MORROW • Creation of the Krug-Lewis Agreement • The government returned mine control to companies. • Raises in pay Number of workers 400,000 • Improvements in mine safety • Creation of retirement and welfare funds STEEL STRIKE OF 1959 July 15, 1959 to Nov. 1, 1959 bid LENGTHY WALKOUT IS PREDICTED. Cumulative days off the job Members of the United Steelworkers of America sis went on strike in response to management's demand that the union give up a contract clause TALKS SET ON 38,000,000 edge ne that limited management's ability to alter the number of workers assigned to a task or to BID BY EISENHOWER SESSION ON TODAY introduce new rules or machinery that would cut CONTRACT The He Says Goodwill on ature Both Sides Could Negotiators to Meet Here With Finnegan -500,000 Affected back on hours or numbers of ployees. oday atest atis- loviet and Speed Accord • The strike was successful, and the contract clause was maintained. their By RICHARD E. MOONEY Terts of nnlon and iedestry statements are on Page 16. p in- mma WASHINGTON, July 14- stera President Eisenhower recom- pri mended late thin afternoon that Spectal te The New Yerk Te. • In the long run, it devastated the domestic steel industry. Due to 85% of U.S. steel production being shut down for four months, industries started importing from other countries and never stopped due to cheaper prices. By A. H. RASKIN A halt-million steel workers struck at 12:01 A. M. today The walkout cut off produetion lot a6 per cent of the country's basie industrial metal and threatened to slow the upsurge Number of workers 500,000 of the economy from last year's erippling recesslon. | Peace talks initiated by Presl- Luer the ederal Mediation and Con- lailiation acrvice. GREAT STEEL STRIKE OF 1919 Sept. 22, 1919 to Jan. 8, 1920 Cumulative days off the job Workers faced challenging working conditions, long hours, and low wages. Post-war inflation aggravated these issues and made it difficult for workers to provide for their families. The American Federation of Labor organized the strike to demand higher wages, an eight-hour workday, and recognition of unions. 26,600,000 Considered one of labor's biggest failures • Fears of communism turned Americans against union workers. Sparked racism because many striking workers were recent immigrants Number of workers • The National Guard was deployed to put down the strike, leading to violence and deaths. 350,000 RAILROAD SHOP WORKERS STRIKE July 1, 1922 to Sept. 1, 1922 Railroad workers went on strike in response to a 12% wage cut (7 cents an hour). CAIL WORK VOKKL Cumulative days off the job 18,000,000 • Mediation between the Railroad Labor Board and striking workers failed. FREE BOARD-ROOMi • At least ten workers were killed by the National Guard and private detectives across the U.S. Number of workers Judge James H. Wilkerson issued an injunction against striking, assembling, and picketing, which caused the strike to die out. 400,000 UNITED AUTO WORKERS STRIKE OF 1945 Nov. 21, 1945 to March 13, 1946 CHEVROLET After keeping their no-strike vow during World War II, organized labor requested a 30% wage hike after the war. GM countered with a 10% raise, and negotiations reached an impasse, causing the strike. Cumulative days off the job 17,363,500 30% GNS DA CO HO PRICE IMCRIASES rS Poon Wan I T FIOM • GM agreed to give workers a 17.5% pay increase, paid vacation, and overtime pay. VETS FROM DOTH MAJOR WARS DANDED TOGETHER TO WIN AGAIN LOCAL 93 BEACHEOS-F ẾN VETS OF Wais IL NOMANDY Te TOKYO DEAOEAS RO ANZIO EINERS OF U-2 Caec NIS WE NO A ORPS CANT E CIO FOr LRTY o Number of workers 225,500 2000 COMMERCIAL ACTORS STRIKE (SAG-AFTRA) Мay 1, 2000 to Oct. 30, 2000 Commercial actors went on strike due to unfair Cumulative days off the job compensation formulas, such as how cable networks could run a single ad frequently but only pay actors a flat fee once. 17,280,000 • After six months of negotiations, a settlement was reached that increased fees by about 10%. SAG AFTRA. Number of workers However, advertisers refused to budge on the flat-fee compensation model. 135,000 ANTHRACITE COAL STRIKE OF 1902 May 12, 1902 to Oct. 23, 1902 Coal workers in Pennsylvania went on strike to demand higher pay and shorter hours to more fairly compensate for the dangerous working conditions. Cumulative days off the job 15,141,000 • Miners received a 10% wage increase and reduced workdays from ten to nine hours. • The first labor dispute that the U.S. government and Teddy Roosevelt got involved in as a neutral arbitrator Memberships in other unions soared. Number of workers • Considered a turning point in U.S. policy - Roosevelt knew it would set a precedent for federal involvement in labor disputes 147,000 PULLMAN STRIKE May 11, 1894 to July 20, 1894 After the economic recession between September 1893 and May 1894, railroad car manufacturer Pullman Palace Car Company cut pay by 25%. Workers were fired when they confronted the company president with worries about starvation, poor living conditions, 16-hour days, and low wages. A strike ensued. Cumulative days off the job 13,260,000 • Federal troops suppressed the strike, resulting in around 30 deaths. Number of workers • Led to a deepening awareness of labor issues in America 260,000 GREAT SOUTHWEST RAILROAD STRIKE March 1, 1886 to May 4, 1886 During the late 19th century, railroads were rapidly expanding throughout the American West. Workers protested grueling work hours and brutal conditions. The strike began against the Union Pacific Railroad and the Missouri Pacific Railroad when an employee was fired for attending a union meeting. The strike spanned four states. Cumulative days off the job 9,400,000 GREAT WESTERN 540 CP 546 • Increasingly violent altercations caused railroad executives to request military assistance. State militia were deployed. 1896 DISPATCH • At least ten people were killed, including deputies and bystanders. Public opinion turned against the union workers due to the violence. Physical attacks intimidated strikers to return to work. Number of workers 200,000 • Led to the collapse of union Knights of Labor 1946 UNION OF ELECTRICAL, RADIO, AND MACHINIST WORKERS' STRIKE Jan. 15, 1946 to March 14, 1946 Failed wage negotiations compelled workers to go on strike. It occurred during a wave of strikes in 1946 – nearly five million workers participated in strikes. Cumulative doys off the job 7,308,000 "We form an organization w alrworkers an industrial basis, a on Pank-and file control, refardies of erate ge, sex nationaliky rece, creed or political bel iefs, and pursue at all times an aggreseive Siruggle to improve our conditions • UE workers gained 18-to-19-cent hourly wage increases. Number of workers 174,000 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SUPERMARKET STRIKE Oct. 12, 2003 to Feb. 29, 2004 The United Food and Commercial Workers union went on strike against supermarket companies Von, Ralphs, and Albertsons when management tried to reduce health care for workers. They wanted to cut costs to compete with non-unionized Walmart stores. Cumulative days off the job 5,718,100 GEAT WESTERFORUM • The wildfires of 2003 effectively ended the boycott. READT • Both sides claimed victory. ACTION Employees were given affordable health care benefits, and employers rebuilt health plan reserves. • Pension fund for new hires and current workers • Lower base salaries Longer work period before earning benefits • No personal days Number of workers 67,300 • Lower holiday and Sunday pay • Longer wait to accumulate vacations 1934 TEXTILE WORKER STRIKE Sept. 3, 1934 to Sept. 23, 1934 Textile workers went on strike in protest of "stretch-out" (squeezing more work out of fewer employees), an increase in the number of looms assigned to each worker, limited break times, unfair pay rates, and strict supervision to prevent talking and slowing down. Cumulative days off the job 5,600,000 UNITED.TEXTILE WORKERS OF AMERICA • Violence between the National Guard and strikers resulted in around a dozen deaths. AFFILIATED WITH A.F. OF LLOCAL • President Franklin Roosevelt personally intervened to ask workers to return to the mills, and they agreed. He urged mills to compromise with the union and employees. Number of workers • Textile workers in the north saw some improvements; southern textile workers saw no changes. 400,000 PASSAIC TEXTILE STRIKE Jan. 25, 1926 to March 1,1927 Wool and silk workers went on strike to protest a 10% pay cut, but tensions were rising for years due to low wages, hazardous working conditions, and long hours. It was the first Communist-led strike in the U.S. Cumulative days off the job 4,215,000 Ihe Castitul New Jersey h s C Some mills purposely hired immigrants from different countries to prevent communication and organization of strikes. THAT Passaic Thail rel TUS THE TRUTH want Raway! Is on our Side Eat wag • Notable for the use of force against strikers and debates against free speech our eir a • A silent film sympathizing with workers was made. • Mills agreed to recognize unions and the right for workers to collectively bargain, end hiring discrimination, and more. Number of workers • However, mills broke their agreements shortly after. They fired workers and rehired them at lower wages. 15,000 CATERPILLAR STRIKE June 20, 1994 to Dec. 3, 1995 Workers went on strike with the United Auto Workers union against Caterpillar, America's largest heavy equipment manufacturer. They were protesting unfair labor practices and a new contract that placed limits on job security and overtime pay and allowed more leeway to lay off workers frequently. Cumulative days off the job 4,063,000 CAT 740 • The strike was a failure. Caterpillar threatened to hire new workers, which compelled strikers back to work. Number of workers • Caused tension in communities because it disrupted the local economy 14,000 1998 GENERAL MOTORS STRIKE June 5, 1998 to July 29, 1998 JAW ON STRIAUAW ON RIKE The Union Auto Workers union went on strike at Cumulative days off the job 3,313,000 GM's Flint Metal Center over staffing, health, and safety issues. GM had also failed to fulfill a pledge to invest $300 million in plant upgrades. MANT Thirty plants ceased production and 193,000 workers were laid off nationwide. • GM lost $3 billion in profits and $12 billion in sales. tnga P COLF • GM agreed not to close striking facilities but demanded a 15% increase in daily output. It would also invest $180 million in new equipment for one facility. Number of workers 152,200 affected NEW YORK CITY TUGBOAT STRIKE OF 1988 Feb. 16, 1988 to Dec. 20, 1993 The International Organization of Masters, Mates, & Pilots engaged in a multi-year dispute over low wages, long hours, loss of jobs, and lack of vacation time. The tugboat industry was already in decline, and the strike only further weakened it. Cumulative days off the job 2,895,200 • Workers were promptly replaced. Overall, the strike had little impact. Number of workers • Workers' wages were reduced, especially for mates, engineers, and deckhands. 1,600 1913 PATERSON SILK STRIKE Feb. 25, 1913 to July 28, 1913 ANYONE FERES ELI Workers at silk mills in New Jersey went on strike when loom assignments were increased from two to four. The Industrial Workers of the World union was the main agent driving the strike. PROFITS Cumulative days off the job 2,530,000 • Radical artists and intellectuals held a pageant in New York City reenacting the events of the strike to gain support. • The strike succeeded in forcing companies to delay the proposed workplace change. Number of workers PATE 23,000 TERSON N.J • IWW lost favor in the eastern U.S. due to the strike. ANUTACTURER BITUMINOUS COAL OPERATORS ASSOCIATION STRIKE May 10, 1993 to Dec. 14, 1993 The United Mine Workers of America went on strike in defiance of mining companies creating non-union subsidiaries and transferring work to them. Workers also were concerned about their Cumulative days off the job 2,203,000 STRI 16,800 job security and lack of pensions and health benefits. • The strike was considered unsuccessful and only weakened the reputation of the UMWA. Number of workers UNITED PARCEL SERVICE STRIKE OF 1997 Aug. 4, 1997 to Aug. 21, 1997 The International Brotherhood of Teamsters went Cumulative days off the job on strike over job security, wages, and the practice of replacing full-time workers with part-time workers. UPS OSPS 2,032,500 UNTAIR UNFAIR UNFAIR STRIKE UNE C • UPS agreed to create 10,000 full-time jobs. TEAMSER LAGAL • Workers gained a pay increase of 50 cents per hour. Number of workers 180,000 • Drivers received a $3.10 hourly pay increase. • Pension plan remained in place 1934 WEST COAST WATERFRONT STRIKE May 9, 1934 to July 17, 1934 Longshoremen at every U.S. West Coast port walked out. They demanded higher wages, shorter workdays, and union recognition and control of waterfront hiring halls. Cumulative days off the job 1,750,000 • Resulted in the unionization of all West Coast ports, creating the powerful International Longshoremen Association • Nine deaths, more than 1,000 injuries, and more than 500 arrests Number of workers • Overall, longshoremen succeeded in improving conditions and increasing pay. 35,000 Created by: https://www.yourlawyer.com/library/20-largest-american-labor-strikes/ Sources: www.history.com www.peoplesworld.org https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu OUTCOME WHY NO AHM OUTCOME AHM ΧΗΜ AMERICA OUTCOME AHM ΧΗΜ OUTCOME AHM OUTCOME ΧΗΜ OUTCOME ΑΗΜ OUTCOME ΧΗΜ ΧΗΜ WOɔino OUTCOME AHM ΧΗΜ AHM OUTCOME THM. WOɔino AΗΜ OUTCOME HM