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Coal Miner's Strike
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Boston Police Strike
Boston Police Officers had not received a wage increase since the beginning of the war, and they attempted to organize to get higher pay, shorter working hours, and better working conditions. The police officers who made the request were suspended, so many policemen went on strike as a result. Governor Calvin Coolidge decided to bring in the National Guard, and ended the strike, but the police officers were not allowed to retake their jobs, which were given to returning servicemen instead (A10). -
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Steel Mill Strike
During the war, steelworkers gained many gains in wages, workers expected these to continue after the war as well. Workers wanted wage increases as well as better working conditions. Movements had opened many cities to organizing a union, but the U.S. Steel company refused to meet with the growing union. As a result, workers went on strike with 1/5 of the nation’s workforce on strike. Steel mills shut down all over the country (A11). -
End of the Steel Mill Strike
Many steel companies attempted to link the strikes with Communism to strike fear into the public about the strike. The convincing worked, and the public as well as government officials believed that the strike was dangerous. U.S. forces were used in areas to end the strike in addition to company strikebreaking, and soon the strike collapsed and the workers were able to return to work (A11). -
End of the Coal Miner's Strike
Mines had shut down because of the strike, so employers eventually offered government mediation in return for the miners to return to work. The miners received a 27 percent increase in wages as a result of the new contract, but the mine owners did not intend to keep their word in the contract (A12).
