Grand Rapids furniture strike of 1911 led to wild riot, left lessons in its wake

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2011/04/grand_rapids_furniture_strike.html

Published: Saturday, April 02, 2011, 4:21 PM Updated: Saturday, April 02, 2011, 4:32 PM

Shandra Martinez | The Grand Rapids Press By Shandra Martinez | The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com

GRAND RAPIDS — In a move of historic solidarity for Grand Rapids, more than 6,000 workers walked out of about 50 furniture factories 100 years ago this spring, protesting pay and working conditions.

Most worked six 10-hour shifts for less than $2 a day, or about $45 in today’s dollars.


Press File PhotoAt a standstill: A 1911 editorial cartoon in The Press comments on the furniture strike.


And after the walkout on April 19, 1911, factory owners like Harry Widdicomb dug in their heels, and did their best to maintain production by bringing in other laborers. Anger built among the striking workers.

Tensions exploded May 15 when Widdicomb tried to drive strikebreakers to the factory through a crowd of about 1,200 strikers and supporters gathered outside the John Widdicomb Co. on Fifth Street NW.

That evening, people poured into the streets from the surrounding Polish neighborhood. Women — some with babies in their arms — formed the front ranks of the crowd. Their long dresses hid the stones gathered along the side of the road.

As Widdicomb’s car drove by, the women stepped back. The crowd grabbed the rocks and pelted the car.

FULL story at link.

[iemitsu]

1. one lesson that can be learned from this incident

is that if you try to replace striking workers with scabs you might get rocks thrown at you.
and you would deserve it.