Boston Police Strike

Boston Police Strike. The Boston Police Strike was a significant labor dispute that took place in Boston, Massachusetts, involving the Boston Police Department and the American Federation of Labor (AFL). This strike was led by James J. Stenson, the president of the Boston Police Union, and supported by notable figures such as Samuel Gompers, the president of the AFL, and Calvin Coolidge, who was the Governor of Massachusetts at the time. The strike drew national attention, with The New York Times and The Washington Post providing extensive coverage of the events.

Background

The Boston Police Strike was preceded by a series of events and tensions between the police officers and the city of Boston. The police officers, who were predominantly of Irish-American descent, felt underpaid and overworked, with many earning less than $1,000 per year. They sought to improve their working conditions, wages, and benefits, and to gain recognition for their union, which was affiliated with the American Federation of Labor (AFL). Notable figures such as Eugene V. Debs, a labor leader, and John Mitchell, a former president of the United Mine Workers, expressed support for the police officers' cause. The strike also drew attention from other labor unions, including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the United Textile Workers of America.

Causes of the Strike

The immediate cause of the strike was the suspension of several police officers who had joined the Boston Police Union, which was seen as a challenge to the authority of Police Commissioner Edwin U. Curtis. The police officers, who were backed by the AFL and other labor unions, including the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, demanded better wages, improved working conditions, and recognition of their union. They also sought to address issues such as overtime pay, pensions, and worker safety, which were concerns shared by other labor unions, including the United Auto Workers and the Steel Workers Organizing Committee. The strike was also influenced by the broader labor movement, with figures such as Mary Harris Jones and Big Bill Haywood playing important roles in shaping the national conversation around labor rights.

The Strike

The Boston Police Strike began on September 9, 1919, when over 1,100 police officers went on strike, leaving the city of Boston with limited law enforcement. The strike was marked by violence and chaos, with looting and rioting breaking out in several neighborhoods, including the North End and South Boston. The Massachusetts State Guard was called in to maintain order, and General John H. Sherburne was appointed to lead the guard. The strike also drew attention from national figures, including President Woodrow Wilson, who dispatched Federal troops to Boston to support the state guard. Other notable figures, such as Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft, weighed in on the strike, with Roosevelt expressing support for the police officers and Taft criticizing their actions.

Aftermath

The Boston Police Strike ended on September 12, 1919, when the police officers were ordered to return to work by Governor Calvin Coolidge. The strike resulted in the firing of over 1,100 police officers, who were replaced by new recruits. The strike also led to the establishment of a new police department, with Michael H. Crowley as its commissioner. The aftermath of the strike was marked by a period of labor unrest, with other labor unions, including the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the Order of Railway Conductors, engaging in strikes and protests. The strike also had a lasting impact on the city of Boston, with the Boston City Council implementing reforms aimed at improving labor relations and addressing the concerns of city employees.

Legacy

The Boston Police Strike had a significant impact on the labor movement, with many regarding it as a turning point in the struggle for workers' rights. The strike drew attention to the issues faced by police officers and other public employees, and it helped to galvanize support for labor unions, including the AFL-CIO and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). The strike also influenced the development of labor law, with the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 providing protections for workers who engage in collective bargaining and strikes. Today, the Boston Police Strike is remembered as an important chapter in the history of the labor movement, with figures such as Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta drawing inspiration from the courage and determination of the police officers who went on strike. The strike is also commemorated by the Labor Heritage Foundation and the National Labor College, which recognize its significance in the struggle for workers' rights. Category:Labor disputes in the United States