San Francisco general strike of 1934

San Francisco general strike of 1934. The San Francisco general strike of 1934 was a major labor action that took place in San Francisco, California, in May 1934, involving International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) workers, led by Harry Bridges, Australian Labor Party member and Communist Party USA affiliate. This strike was supported by various labor unions, including the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), with notable figures such as John L. Lewis and David Dubinsky playing key roles. The strike drew attention from prominent individuals like Franklin D. Roosevelt, Upton Sinclair, and Lincoln Steffens, who were all influential in shaping the New Deal policies and the American labor movement.

Background

The San Francisco waterfront had a long history of labor unrest, with workers demanding better wages, working conditions, and benefits, similar to those achieved by workers in other major ports like New York City and Los Angeles. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) was formed in 1933, with Harry Bridges as its leader, and quickly gained support from other labor unions, including the Marine Cooks and Stewards Association and the Sailors' Union of the Pacific. The ILWU was affiliated with the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and received support from other AFL unions, such as the Teamsters and the United Mine Workers of America. Notable figures like Eugene Debs, Mary Harris Jones, and Mother Jones had previously fought for workers' rights, inspiring the ILWU's efforts. The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 would later address some of the workers' concerns, but at the time, the ILWU had to rely on its own strength and the support of other unions.

Causes of the Strike

The immediate cause of the strike was a dispute over wages and working conditions, but underlying issues included the Great Depression, which had led to high levels of unemployment and poverty, affecting not only San Francisco but also other cities like Detroit, Chicago, and New York City. The National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933 had established minimum wages and working conditions, but these were often ignored by employers, leading to widespread discontent among workers, who were inspired by the examples of Lawrence Textile Strike and the Paterson Silk Strike. The ILWU demanded recognition as the sole bargaining agent for waterfront workers, as well as better wages, benefits, and working conditions, similar to those achieved by workers in other industries, such as the United Automobile Workers and the Steel Workers Organizing Committee. The strike was also influenced by the Communist Party USA and the Socialist Party of America, which had a significant presence in San Francisco and supported the ILWU's demands, with notable figures like Earl Browder and Norman Thomas playing key roles.

The Strike

The strike began on May 9, 1934, with thousands of workers walking off the job, shutting down the Port of San Francisco and affecting trade with other ports, such as Port of Los Angeles and Port of Oakland. The strike was marked by violence and clashes between strikers and police, with Harry Bridges and other union leaders playing key roles in organizing the strike, and receiving support from other labor leaders, such as John L. Lewis and David Dubinsky. The strike drew national attention, with Franklin D. Roosevelt and other prominent figures calling for an end to the violence, and the National Guard was deployed to maintain order, as had been the case in other labor disputes, such as the Bonus Army march on Washington, D.C.. The strike lasted for four days, with the ILWU eventually winning significant concessions from employers, including recognition as the sole bargaining agent for waterfront workers, and improved wages and working conditions, similar to those achieved by workers in other industries, such as the United Mine Workers of America and the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America.

Aftermath

The strike had a significant impact on the American labor movement, with the ILWU emerging as a major force in the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), and Harry Bridges becoming a prominent labor leader, alongside other notable figures like Walter Reuther and Philip Murray. The strike also led to the establishment of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which was tasked with resolving labor disputes and enforcing labor laws, such as the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act. The NLRB played a key role in resolving subsequent labor disputes, including the Flint sit-down strike and the Memphis sanitation strike, and its decisions were often influenced by the Supreme Court of the United States, with notable cases like National Labor Relations Board v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation and Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer. The strike also had a lasting impact on the Port of San Francisco, with the ILWU continuing to play a major role in shaping the port's labor policies, and the port becoming a model for other ports, such as the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of New York and New Jersey.

Legacy

The San Francisco general strike of 1934 is remembered as a pivotal moment in the American labor movement, with the ILWU's victory marking a significant turning point in the struggle for workers' rights, and inspiring other labor unions, such as the United Farm Workers and the Service Employees International Union. The strike's legacy can be seen in the many labor laws and regulations that were enacted in its aftermath, including the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act, which were influenced by the New Deal policies of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Great Society programs of Lyndon B. Johnson. The strike is also commemorated by the ILWU and other labor unions, with Harry Bridges being remembered as a hero of the labor movement, alongside other notable figures like Eugene Debs, Mary Harris Jones, and Cesar Chavez. The strike's impact can still be felt today, with the Port of San Francisco remaining a major hub of labor activity, and the ILWU continuing to play a key role in shaping the port's labor policies, and influencing the broader American labor movement, with notable events like the WTO Ministerial Conference of 1999 and the Occupy Wall Street movement. Category:Labor disputes in the United States