Remington Rand strike of 1936-1937

Remington Rand strike of 1936-1937 was a significant labor dispute that took place at the Remington Rand factory in Illinois, involving workers from the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) and the American Federation of Labor (AFL). The strike was led by prominent labor leaders, including John L. Lewis and David Dubinsky, and was supported by various organizations, such as the United Mine Workers of America and the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. The strike drew attention from notable figures, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Norman Thomas, and Upton Sinclair, who were involved in the broader labor movement, which included events like the Lawrence Textile Strike and the Gastonia Textile Strike.

Background

The Remington Rand strike of 1936-1937 occurred during a time of significant labor unrest in the United States, with major strikes taking place at companies like General Motors, United States Steel, and Ford Motor Company. The strike was influenced by the National Industrial Recovery Act and the National Labor Relations Act, which were signed into law by Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of the New Deal. Labor leaders, such as Sidney Hillman and Philip Murray, played important roles in shaping the labor movement, which also involved organizations like the Industrial Workers of the World and the American Federation of Labor. The strike was also connected to other significant events, including the Battle of the Overpass and the Flint sit-down strike, which were supported by figures like Walter Reuther and Victor Reuther.

Causes of the Strike

The strike was caused by a combination of factors, including poor working conditions, low wages, and the company's refusal to recognize the workers' union, which was affiliated with the Congress of Industrial Organizations. The workers, who were primarily members of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, were seeking better wages, benefits, and working conditions, similar to those achieved by workers at companies like Westinghouse Electric Corporation and General Electric. The strike was also influenced by the broader labor movement, which included events like the Toledo Auto-Lite strike and the Seattle General Strike, and was supported by organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties Union. Notable figures, including Eleanor Roosevelt and Frances Perkins, were involved in the labor movement and supported the strike, which was also connected to the National Recovery Administration and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The Strike

The strike began in 1936 and lasted for several months, with workers picketing the factory and engaging in other forms of protest, similar to those used during the Lawrence Textile Strike and the Gastonia Textile Strike. The strike was marked by violence and intimidation, with company-hired thugs and police clashing with striking workers, who were supported by organizations like the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the United Automobile Workers. The strike drew national attention, with figures like Charles Coughlin and Huey Long weighing in on the issue, and was connected to other significant events, including the Spanish Civil War and the Great Depression. The strike was eventually settled, with the company agreeing to recognize the workers' union and improve working conditions, similar to the outcomes of the Flint sit-down strike and the Toledo Auto-Lite strike.

Aftermath and Legacy

The Remington Rand strike of 1936-1937 had significant consequences for the labor movement, with the strike helping to establish the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America as a major force in the industry, similar to the United Mine Workers of America and the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. The strike also contributed to the growth of the Congress of Industrial Organizations, which would go on to play a major role in the labor movement, including events like the Oakland General Strike and the Wagner Act. The strike was seen as a victory for workers' rights, with figures like Norman Thomas and Upton Sinclair hailing the strike as a major achievement, and was connected to other significant events, including the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act. The strike's legacy can be seen in the continued struggles of workers for better wages, benefits, and working conditions, including events like the Watts riots and the Stonewall riots, which were supported by organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Key Figures and Organizations

The Remington Rand strike of 1936-1937 involved a number of key figures and organizations, including John L. Lewis, David Dubinsky, and Philip Murray, who played important roles in the labor movement, including events like the Lawrence Textile Strike and the Gastonia Textile Strike. The strike was supported by organizations like the United Mine Workers of America, the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, and the American Federation of Labor, which were involved in the broader labor movement, including events like the Flint sit-down strike and the Toledo Auto-Lite strike. Notable figures, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Frances Perkins, were involved in the labor movement and supported the strike, which was also connected to the National Recovery Administration and the Fair Labor Standards Act. The strike was also influenced by the Congress of Industrial Organizations, which would go on to play a major role in the labor movement, including events like the Oakland General Strike and the Wagner Act, and was supported by organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties Union.