Description: This photograph shows police clashing with strikers at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber strike in Akron, Ohio, in late May 1938. Two police officers are holding raised batons as they and other police advance toward a group of workers. The activity is taking place along a brick and iron fence. A car with a driver at the wheel is visible to the right of the workers and police. One hundred people were injured during this strike. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, factory workers faced poor working conditions, low wages, and almost no benefits. This was true for the workers employed by rubber manufacturers in Akron, Ohio, such the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, B.F. Goodrich, and Firestone. In an attempt to alleviate their conditions, workers went on strike and left the factory to join picket lines. Company owners often hired “scab” laborers to cross the picket lines and continue production. This practice made it difficult for striking workers to obtain their demands. In 1935, rubber workers in Akron, Ohio, tried a new approach to strikes, the sit-down strike, in which workers stopped working but still occupied their places within the factory. This process meant that the factory owners could not send in additional workers to continue the job. In addition, factory management was more reluctant to use private security forces or other strike breakers to intimidate the striking workers, as that approach threatened destruction to plant property. In 1935, the rubber workers organized a union, the United Rubber Workers (URW). In its first year the URW created thirty-nine local chapters. This union’s goals were to improve wages and working conditions for its members, and it soon had its first opportunity. The URW organized its first strike against Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company the following year. This sit-down strike began as a protest against a plan created by Goodyear to reduce wages and increase the pace of production. In addition to the sit-down strike, the rubber workers also organized long picket lines in protest. Akron’s mayor, Lee D. Schroy, attempted to send in the police to put down the strike, but the police officers refused to do so when they faced the thousands of organized workers. After the violent strike in May 1938, three more years of cooperation between the new URW and Goodyear elapsed before the first formal contract was signed in 1941. In the long term, Goodyear was forced to recognize URW and negotiate better contracts with workers. Legislation passed during the New Deal required industries to recognize unions and legitimized collective bargaining, increasing the URW's popularity and success even further. By the end of World War II, membership had grown to almost 200,000. After World War II, the URW continued to work to improve laborers conditions. The union began negotiating industry-wide agreements rather than focusing on one factory. The union also became more inclusive, working to reduce gender and racial discrimination both within the union itself and in the workplace. The URW also negotiated pension plans and insurance plans with employers. In the 1990s, the URW merged with the United Steelworkers to form an even stronger union. This union still strives to improve its members' working conditions, wages, and benefits. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06154
Subjects: Strikes; Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company; United Rubber Workers of America; Labor unions--Ohio; Labor movement--United States--History--20th century; Strikes and lockouts--Rubber industry; Business and Labor; Akron (Ohio)
Places: Akron (Ohio); Summit County (Ohio)
 

Description: These photographs, taken between July 31 and August 2, 1939, were compiled in a scrapbook as a report to the Ohio adjutant general by two National Guard officers, Brigadier General L. S. Conelly and Captain L. J. Abele. The officers were sent to the Fisher Body Plant in Cleveland as observers for the Ohio National Guard during the 1939 strike at the plant. The back of each photograph is labeled with a number and a brief caption. Images 2 and 57 include Eliot Ness, who was Cleveland's director of public safety at the time of the strike. Before coming to Cleveland, Ness successfully battled mobster Al Capone in Chicago. His book, The Untouchables, was published in 1957. Other images in this collection include confrontations between police and strikers, non-striking workers inside the plant and police and fire officials at the scene. The photographs measure 6" x 8" (15.24 x 20.32 cm). Fisher Body Plant opened in 1921 to build car bodies for the Cleveland Automobile Company and the Chandler Motor Car Company. It became a division of General Motors (GM) in 1926. Several major strikes occurred in the automobile industry in the 1930s, as workers were asked to work for less and less due to the effects of the Great Depression. In 1937, workers at the Fisher Body Plant began a sit-down strike that spread to the GM factory in Michigan. The strike ended when GM agreed to recognize the United Auto Workers. During World War II the Fisher Body plant made parts for tanks, guns and airplanes. The plant closed in 1982. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1526_4400787_003
Subjects: Ohio Government; Military Ohio; Business and Labor; Strikes; Factories; Automobile industry workers; International Union, United Automobile Workers of America (CIO); Ohio. National Guard
Places: Cleveland (Ohio); Cuyahoga County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph shows High Street in Columbus, Ohio, during the Streetcar Strike of 1890, which began on June 3. At this time, Columbus Railway and Light Company gained control of all the street cars in Columbus, and during the ownership transition, streetcar operators went on strike. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL00627
Subjects: Columbus (Ohio); Street cars; Strikes; Ohio Economy--Economy--Labor
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph shows High Street in Columbus, Ohio, during the Streetcar Strike of 1890, which began on June 3. At this time, Columbus Railway and Light Company gained control of all the street cars in Columbus, and during the ownership transition, streetcar operators went on strike. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL00628
Subjects: Columbus (Ohio); Street cars; Strikes; Ohio Economy--Economy--Labor
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Three photographs document vandalism at the Republic Steel Corporation's Warren Plant during the 1937 ""Little Steel"" Strike. The first photograph shows derailed train cars on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad tracks on June 15. In the second workers are seen replacing the derailed cars. The third shows railroad cars with opened pockets. These 4.5"" by 6.5"" (11.43 by 16.5 cm) photographs are part of a scrapbook maintained by the Republic Steel Corporation documenting events at its Warren Plant during the strike. The scrapbook is labeled Miscellaneous Communications, Posters and Pictures Relating to the C.I.O. Strike of the Warren Plant of the Republic Steel Corporation, Summer 1937, Vol. III. In June 1936 the Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel, and Tin Workers and the Committee for Industrial Organization (C.I.O.) agreed to a joint effort to organize the steel industry. This led to the formation of the Steel Workers Organizing Committee (S.W.O.C.). Soon after the first representatives from the S.W.O.C. arrived in the Mahoning Valley to begin their organizing efforts. On March 26, 1937 the organizing committee signed a contract with U.S. Steel, the nation's largest steel producer. Six weeks later the second largest steel company in the country, Jones & Laughlin, followed the example of U.S. Steel. Following these victories the S.W.O.C. increased its efforts at reaching agreements with the smaller companies known as the ""Little Steel"" companies: Republic Steel, Inland Steel, and Youngstown Sheet and Tube. Talks between the organizing committee and the steel companies broke down and on May 26, 1937 approximately 25,000 Mahoning Valley steelworkers walked off their jobs from Republic Steel and Youngstown Sheet and Tube. Most of the mills shut down with the start of the strike. However, Republic Steel kept their Warren and Niles plants open using non-striking steelworkers. This led to a number of violent confrontations outside the mills. With no end to the strike in sight, Youngstown Sheet and Tube and Republic Steel announced on June 21 that the mills will be re-opened for those workers wanted to return to work. Fearing the violence that would follow attempts to re-open the plants, Ohio Governor Martin Davey ordered National Guard troops to the Mahoning Valley and on June 22 nearly 2,000 National Guardsmen arrived in Youngstown and Warren. The arrival of the National Guard signaled the beginning of the end of the strike. On June 25 striking steelworkers began returning to work under the protection of the National Guard. The steel companies also began hiring new workers to replace those who remained on strike. Soon the mills were running at near full capacity and most of the striking steelworkers had returned to their jobs. On July 6 the National Guard reduced its presence in the Mahoning Valley and the strike was effectively over. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1619_2587090_056
Subjects: Transportation; Business and Labor; Strikes; Steel industry; Congress of Industrial Organizations (U.S.); Labor unions; Vandalism; Railroads
Places: Niles (Ohio); Warren (Ohio); Trumbull County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph, looking south down High Street from Broad Street in downtown Columbus, Ohio, shows the effects of a brownout in the city in response to a nationwide coal strike that was underway. In response to wage disputes following the end of World War II, union mineworkers walked out en masse, and much of the country was forced to shut down industry and heavily reduce its power usage in response to the diminishing supply of coal. Several Columbus businesses can be seen lining High Street across the street from the Ohio Statehouse, including the Neil House Hotel and Neil Tavern. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: P339_B03F05_01_01
Subjects: Columbus (Ohio)--History--20th century; Downtowns; Labor unions; Strikes; Electric utilities;
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: A group of men and one woman picket outside the Timken Roller Bearing Company plant in Columbus, Ohio, in this photograph taken for the Columbus Citizen-Journal on November 10, 1949. Union employees of the company had walked out earlier that month, striking for a pension plan similar to those adopted by other steel industry companies. The strikers carry signs reading "No Wage Increase - We Want Pension" and "Why Pensions for Company Big Wigs only?" and labeled "U.S.A. - C.I.O." View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: P339_B03F01_02_01
Subjects: Steel industry and trade--Ohio; Labor unions; Employees; Strikes; Demonstrations;
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Three drawings reflect the concerns of those working in the Republic Steel Corporation's Warren Plant during the 1937 "Little Steel" Strike. Robert Walker drew the cartoons on mailing envelopes; they document unease over receiving mail, violence, and promises made by the Committee for Industrial Organization. The cartoons measure 4.6" by 8" (11.8 by 20.32 cm) and are part of a scrapbook maintained by the Republic Steel Corporation documenting events at its Warren Plant during the strike. The scrapbook is labeled Miscellaneous Communications, Posters and Pictures Relating to the C.I.O. Strike of the Warren Plant of the Republic Steel Corporation, Summer 1937, Vol. III. In June 1936 the Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel, and Tin Workers and the Committee for Industrial Organization (C.I.O.) agreed to a joint effort to organize the steel industry. This led to the formation of the Steel Workers Organizing Committee (S.W.O.C.). Soon after the first representatives from the S.W.O.C. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1619_2587042_001
Subjects: Arts and Entertainment; Business and Labor; Strikes; Steel industry; Congress of Industrial Organizations (U.S.); Labor unions; Cartoons (Commentary)
Places: Niles (Ohio); Warren (Ohio); Trumbull County (Ohio)
 

Description: Two photographs depict the "Labor Holiday" parade that took place in Warren during the 1937 "Little Steel" Strike. The marchers can be seen passing the main gate of Republic Steel's plant on June 23. National Guard troops are also visible in the photographs, which measure 4.5" by 6.5" (11.43 by 16.5 cm) and are part of a scrapbook maintained by the Republic Steel Corporation documenting events at its Warren Plant during the strike. The scrapbook is labeled Miscellaneous Communications, Posters and Pictures Relating to the C.I.O. Strike of the Warren Plant of the Republic Steel Corporation, Summer 1937, Vol. III. In June 1936 the Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel, and Tin Workers and the Committee for Industrial Organization (C.I.O.) agreed to a joint effort to organize the steel industry. This led to the formation of the Steel Workers Organizing Committee (S.W.O.C.). Soon after the first representatives from the S.W.O.C. arrived in the Mahoning Valley to begin their organizin View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1619_2586904_059
Subjects: Business and Labor; Strikes; Steel industry; Congress of Industrial Organizations (U.S.); Labor unions; Parades & processions; Pickets; Ohio. National Guard
Places: Niles (Ohio); Warren (Ohio); Trumbull County (Ohio)
 

Description: AFL-CIO United Farm Workers demonstration in Columbus, Ohio, ca. 1973. The UFW called for boycotts of grapes and lettuce after disputes over expiring contracts without elections. This photograph was taken by a photographer for publication in the Columbus Free Press newspaper. The Columbus Free Press began as a bi-weekly publication in Columbus, Ohio, in 1970. An underground newspaper, it replaced the Ohio State University publication The People, Yes. The earliest known issue of the newspaper appeared on January 4, 1971. The newspaper underwent a series of name changes over the decades, with titles including the Columbus Free Press & Cowtown Times (1972-1976), the Columbus Freepress (1976-1992) and The Free Press (1992-1995). The paper, which covered many liberal and progressive causes, was an alternative to mainstream news sources in central Ohio with the slogan “The Other Side of the News.” In 1995, the paper ceased publication briefly before reemerging as a website in early 1996, and returning as a print publication under the Free Press title in the form of a quarterly journal in 1998. Published under various frequencies during the first part of the 21st century, the Free Press again became a nonprofit monthly publication in 2017 with both a print and web presence, published by the Columbus Institute for Contemporary Journalism and operated by a volunteer staff and board. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL05845
Subjects: Demonstrations; Protests and protestors; Labor unions--Ohio; Ohio Economy--Economy--Labor; Strikes
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Two photographs document the first truck shipment leaving through the main gate at the Republic Steel Corporation's Warren Plant during the 1937 "Little Steel" Strike. The first photograph depicts the four trucks departing. In the second photograph, the drivers of the first truck fleet are posing for the camera. These 4.5" by 6.5" (11.43 by 16.5 cm) photographs are part of a scrapbook maintained by the Republic Steel Corporation documenting events at its Warren Plant during the strike. The scrapbook is labeled Miscellaneous Communications, Posters and Pictures Relating to the C.I.O. Strike of the Warren Plant of the Republic Steel Corporation, Summer 1937, Vol. III. In June 1936 the Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel, and Tin Workers and the Committee for Industrial Organization (C.I.O.) agreed to a joint effort to organize the steel industry. This led to the formation of the Steel Workers Organizing Committee (S.W.O.C.). Soon after the first representatives from the S.W.O.C. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1619_2587104_033
Subjects: Transportation; Business and Labor; Strikes; Steel industry; Congress of Industrial Organizations (U.S.); Labor unions; Trucks
Places: Niles (Ohio); Warren (Ohio); Trumbull County (Ohio)
 

Description: The title of the poster is "The LOCKOUT IS ENDED; HE HOLDS THE KEY" It shows William McKinley holding a flag and a large key. He is about to open a padlock on a door. Above the door it reads, "Temple of Prosperity". the sign on the door reads, "This door will be opened November 3, 1896" and is signed by Wm. McKinley. The bar across the door reads "Financial Mistrust". Behind William McKinley are two young men cheering with their hats held above their heads. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: OVS4827
Subjects: Ohio History--Presidents and Politics; McKinley, William, 1843-1901; Strikes and lockouts