1959 Steel Strike

1959 Steel Strike. The 1959 Steel Strike was a major labor dispute in the United States that involved the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) and major steel producers such as United States Steel Corporation, Republic Steel, and Bethlehem Steel. The strike, which lasted from July 15, 1959, to November 6, 1959, was led by USWA President David J. McDonald and involved over 500,000 steelworkers from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and other steel-producing states, including Illinois, Michigan, and New York. The strike was supported by other labor unions, including the AFL-CIO, led by George Meany, and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), which had merged with the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1955.

Background

The 1959 Steel Strike was the culmination of a long-standing dispute between the USWA and the steel industry over issues such as wages, benefits, and working conditions. The USWA had been seeking improvements in these areas since the early 1950s, but the steel companies had resisted, citing concerns about profitability and competition from foreign steel producers, including Japan and Germany. The USWA had previously gone on strike in 1946, led by Philip Murray, and in 1956, but these strikes had been shorter and less intense than the 1959 strike. The 1959 strike was also influenced by the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, which protected the right of workers to form and join labor unions, and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which established minimum wage and overtime protections for workers. Other notable labor leaders, including Walter Reuther of the United Auto Workers and Jimmy Hoffa of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, supported the USWA during the strike.

Causes of the Strike

The immediate cause of the 1959 Steel Strike was the expiration of the USWA's contract with the steel companies on June 30, 1959. The USWA had been seeking a new contract that would provide significant wage and benefit increases, as well as improvements in working conditions, including the reduction of overtime and the establishment of safer working conditions, as mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The steel companies, however, were unwilling to meet these demands, citing concerns about the impact on their profitability and competitiveness, particularly in relation to foreign steel producers, such as Tata Steel and ArcelorMittal. The USWA also sought to address issues related to job security, including the protection of workers' rights and the prevention of plant closures, as seen in the cases of Youngstown Sheet and Tube and Weirton Steel. Other labor unions, including the United Mine Workers of America, led by John L. Lewis, and the International Union of Electrical Workers, supported the USWA's demands.

Course of the Strike

The 1959 Steel Strike began on July 15, 1959, and lasted for 116 days, making it one of the longest and most intense labor disputes in United States history. During the strike, over 500,000 steelworkers walked off the job, shutting down steel production in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and other steel-producing states. The strike was marked by widespread picketing and demonstrations, including a major rally in Washington, D.C., where labor leaders, including A. Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin, spoke in support of the USWA. The strike also received support from other labor unions, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), led by Roy Wilkins, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which advocated for the rights of workers to engage in collective bargaining, as protected by the National Labor Relations Act. The steel companies, however, refused to negotiate with the USWA, and the strike continued until November 6, 1959, when a new contract agreement was reached.

Aftermath and Consequences

The 1959 Steel Strike ended with a new contract agreement that provided significant wage and benefit increases for steelworkers, as well as improvements in working conditions. The agreement also established a new system of profit-sharing and pension benefits for steelworkers, which was seen as a major victory for the USWA. The strike, however, had significant consequences for the steel industry, including a decline in production and a loss of market share to foreign steel producers, such as Nippon Steel and Posco. The strike also had an impact on the broader United States economy, contributing to a recession in 1960, which was exacerbated by the Federal Reserve, led by William McChesney Martin. The strike also led to changes in labor relations, including the establishment of new procedures for collective bargaining and the resolution of labor disputes, as mandated by the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947.

Impact on Labor Relations

The 1959 Steel Strike had a significant impact on labor relations in the United States, marking a turning point in the relationship between labor unions and management. The strike demonstrated the power and determination of labor unions, particularly the USWA, and led to significant improvements in wages, benefits, and working conditions for steelworkers. The strike also led to changes in labor law, including the passage of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, which regulated labor union activities and protected workers' rights. The strike also influenced the development of other labor unions, including the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), led by John Sweeney, and the Communications Workers of America (CWA), which advocated for the rights of workers in the telecommunications and health care industries. Other notable labor leaders, including Cesar Chavez of the United Farm Workers and Dolores Huerta of the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee, were inspired by the USWA's victory in the 1959 Steel Strike. The strike's legacy can be seen in the continued struggles of labor unions, including the United Auto Workers and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, to protect workers' rights and improve working conditions in the United States.