Strikes were prohibited during WWI, but after the war there were over 3,000 strikes, and 4 million people quit their jobs . Employers didn't want to hire people who were part of unions and said that union member employees were planning a revolution.
The Boston Police Strike
The Boston Police Strike
- Boston police weren't getting raises and were prohibited from unionizing
- One man asked for a raise and was fired, so his colleagues went on strike
- The National Guard stepped in due to Governor Coolidge's order
- All those who had participated were fire, and new policeman were hired
- The public believed Governor Coolidge had saved the nation from communism
- Steel mill employees wanted shorter hours, higher pay, union recognition, and the right to bargain
- The U.S. Steel Corporation wouldn't meet with union reps, so 300,000 worker quit
- Steel companies hired people who would work even during the strike
- The strikers were hit by police and military, and the strike was linked to communism through propaganda
- President Woodrow Wilson said, "Are we to confess that there is no method to be found for carrying on industry except... the very method of war?... Are our industrial leaders and our industrial workers to live together without faith in each other?"
- The strike ended in 1920
- 1923: Public became shocked at steel mill working conditions due to a report, and companies agreed to an 8 hour day
- John L. Lewis led a coalfield union, and created a strike in 1919
- The strike was ended due to General Palmer, but Lewis secretly wanted to continue, and the mines were closed for another month
- President Wilson caused it to be ended for good
- The workers received an increase but not shorter hours
- Union membership increased greatly during the 1920s for 4 main reasons:
- Work force had many immigrants who would work for low pay
- Immigrants couldn't communicate with union organizers
- Farmers who moved to the city for work were independent
- Unions excluded African Americans
- American's started to doubt the presidency