As Michigan lawmakers prepared to ram through a bill to destroy the labor unions that helped make their state a symbol of American industrial prosperity, labor organizers took to the streets and large numbers of protestors surrounded the capitol building. Attempting to make Michigan the 24th state to adopt "Right-To-Work-For-Third-World-Wages" legislation, the Governor thumbed his nose at the protestors and bragged about his attempt to pass a law that could reduce the pay of every worker in the state. Knowing they would not have the votes to pass it in January, Republicans fast-tracked the bill, giving no opportunity to even discuss it and passed it with no public hearings or input.
We have seen it all before. Even a casual reading of history reveals a bitter war between labor and capital that has been carried out ever since the founding of our Republic. Given the life-or-death consequences of economic policies, it is not surprising that confrontations between workers, business owners and politicians have often led to violence. This week's protest was no exception.
Because the public was shut out of the process entirely, it is not surprising that tempers flared during this week's protests. In any crowd of that size it is not hard to find examples of people behaving badly and video cameras caught a confrontation between Conservative comedian and activist Steven Crowder and several union members. In the ensuing scuffle, Crowder was punched in the face and a tent being occupied by Americans for Prosperity, a pro right-to-work group was knocked down.
Fists fly at the altercation in Michigan.
Conservatives have gone ballistic. Tired of being called flunkies of the 1% and sensitive to any criticism of their selfish behavior, their bloggers, politicians and talking heads have seized on this incident as finally giving them some "higher ground" to shout from. Immediately, the cries of "Union Thugs" went out and has reverberated throughout the Internet. A search for the term in Google returns 2.7 million hits. For the first time in years, Republicans can pretend that their supporters hold the moral high ground aginst the onslaught of evil union "thugs" out to destroy the nation just to maintain their exorbitant compensation.
I don't condone violence to achieve political goals, so I hated to see such an event happen. I do know a little bit about history, though, and, given the scale of past labor conflicts, it seems like the events in Michigan were pretty insignificant, unlike what you will hear on Fox "News."
In almost every case of labor strife in the last 150 years, it has been the "company thugs" who have carried out the most egregious violence against workers. Labor strikes, sit-downs and picketing have been met with clubs, guns and lynchings. When the scale of the protests become too large, business owners appealed to the government to help them and many times Federal troops have been used against strikers, often with fatal results.
Here is just a partial list of past incidents of labor violence. Although there have been a few incidents of violent behavior coming from the workers, by far most of the violence has been perpetrated ON them not BY them.
Past Labor Violence
The Thibodaux Massacre. The Louisiana Militia, aided by bands of "prominent citizens," shot at least 35 and possibly as many as three hundred unarmed black sugar workers striking to gain a dollar-per-day wage, and lynched two strike leaders.
1894
Federal troops killed 34 American Railway Union members in the Chicago area attempting to break a strike, led by Eugene Debs, against the Pullman Company. Debs and several others were imprisoned for violating injunctions, causing disintegration of the union
Federal troops killed 34 American Railway Union members in the Chicago area attempting to break a strike, led by Eugene Debs, against the Pullman Company. Debs and several others were imprisoned for violating injunctions, causing disintegration of the union
10
September 1897
19 unarmed striking coal miners and mine workers were killed and 36 wounded by a posse organized by the Luzerne County sheriff for refusing to disperse near Lattimer, Pennsylvania. The strikers, most of whom were shot in the back, were originally brought in as strike-breakers, but later organized themselves.
19 unarmed striking coal miners and mine workers were killed and 36 wounded by a posse organized by the Luzerne County sheriff for refusing to disperse near Lattimer, Pennsylvania. The strikers, most of whom were shot in the back, were originally brought in as strike-breakers, but later organized themselves.
12
October 1898
Fourteen were killed, 25 wounded in violence resulting when Virden, Illinois mine owners attempted to break a strike by importing 200 nonunion black workers.
Fourteen were killed, 25 wounded in violence resulting when Virden, Illinois mine owners attempted to break a strike by importing 200 nonunion black workers.
12
October 1902
Fourteen miners were killed and 22 wounded by scabs at Pana, Illinois.
Fourteen miners were killed and 22 wounded by scabs at Pana, Illinois.
8
June 1904
A battle between the Colorado Militia and striking miners at Dunnville ended with six union members dead and 15 taken prisoner. Seventy-nine of the strikers were deported to Kansas two days later.
22 August 1909A battle between the Colorado Militia and striking miners at Dunnville ended with six union members dead and 15 taken prisoner. Seventy-nine of the strikers were deported to Kansas two days later.
Pressed Steel Car Company in Pittsburgh calls in 200 state constables and 300 deputy sheriffs to insure the safety of strikebreakers and to evict strikers from company houses. Their actions result in the death of at least 12 people, and perhaps as many as 26.
May 1911
The Westmoreland Coal Miners' Strike in Pennslyvania was met by fierce resistance from company "thugs." During the strike, six striking miners, nine wives of striking miners, and one bystander were killed, and thousands of strikers and members of their families severely beaten or wounded.
24
February 1912
Women and children were beaten by police during a textile strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
Women and children were beaten by police during a textile strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
Miners face off against a wall of bayonets during the textile strike in Lawrence.
20
April 1914
The "Ludlow Massacre." In an attempt to persuade strikers at Colorado's Ludlow Mine Field to return to work, company "guards," engaged by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. and other mine operators and sworn into the State Militia just for the occasion, attacked a union tent camp with machine guns, then set it afire. Five men, two women and 12 children died as a result.
The "Ludlow Massacre." In an attempt to persuade strikers at Colorado's Ludlow Mine Field to return to work, company "guards," engaged by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. and other mine operators and sworn into the State Militia just for the occasion, attacked a union tent camp with machine guns, then set it afire. Five men, two women and 12 children died as a result.
Hole where bodies of 11 children and 2 women were recovered from after fire at Ludlow Tent Colony
19
January 1915
World famous labor leader Joe Hill was arrested in Salt Lake City. He was convicted on trumped up murder charges, and was executed 21 months later despite worldwide protests and two attempts to intervene by President Woodrow Wilson.
World famous labor leader Joe Hill was arrested in Salt Lake City. He was convicted on trumped up murder charges, and was executed 21 months later despite worldwide protests and two attempts to intervene by President Woodrow Wilson.
19
August 1916
Strikebreakers hired by the Everett Mills owner Neil Jamison attacked and beat picketing strikers in Everett, Washington. Local police watched and refused to intervene, claiming that the waterfront where the incident took place was Federal land and therefore outside their jurisdiction. (When the picketers retaliated against the strikebreakers that evening, the local police intervened, claiming that they had crossed the line of jursidiction.) The official I.W.W. toll was listed as 5 dead and 27 wounded.
Strikebreakers hired by the Everett Mills owner Neil Jamison attacked and beat picketing strikers in Everett, Washington. Local police watched and refused to intervene, claiming that the waterfront where the incident took place was Federal land and therefore outside their jurisdiction. (When the picketers retaliated against the strikebreakers that evening, the local police intervened, claiming that they had crossed the line of jursidiction.) The official I.W.W. toll was listed as 5 dead and 27 wounded.
Some of the victims of the Everett massacre.
12
July 1917
After seizing the local Western Union telegraph office in order to cut off outside communication, several thousand armed vigilantes forced 1,185 men in Bisbee, Arizona into manure-laden boxcars and "deported" them to the New Mexico desert.
After seizing the local Western Union telegraph office in order to cut off outside communication, several thousand armed vigilantes forced 1,185 men in Bisbee, Arizona into manure-laden boxcars and "deported" them to the New Mexico desert.
Marching from Lowell, Deportation of I.W.W's July 12, 1917
27
July 1918
United Mine Workers organizer Ginger Goodwin was shot by a hired private policeman outside Cumberland, British Columbia.
United Mine Workers organizer Ginger Goodwin was shot by a hired private policeman outside Cumberland, British Columbia.
11
November 1919
The Centralia Massacre. Violence erupted when members of the American Legion attempted to force their way into an IWW hall in Centralia, Washington during an Armistice Day anniversary celebration. Four Legionnaires were shot dead by members of the IWW, after which IWW organizer Wesley Everest was lynched by a local mob.
The Centralia Massacre. Violence erupted when members of the American Legion attempted to force their way into an IWW hall in Centralia, Washington during an Armistice Day anniversary celebration. Four Legionnaires were shot dead by members of the IWW, after which IWW organizer Wesley Everest was lynched by a local mob.
19
May 1920
The Battle of Matewan. Despite efforts by police chief (and former miner) Sid Hatfield and Mayor C. Testerman to protect miners from interference in their union drive in Matewan, West Virginia, Baldwin-Felts detectives hired by the local mining company and thirteen of the company's managers arrived to evict miners and their families from the Stone Mountain Mine camp. A gun battle ensued, resulting in the deaths of 7 detectives, Mayor Testerman, and 2 miners. Baldwin-Felts detectives assasinated Sid Hatfield 15 months later, sparking off an armed rebellion of 10,000 West Virginia coal miners at "The Battle of Blair Mountain," dubbed "the largest insurrection this country has had since the Civil War"
The Battle of Matewan. Despite efforts by police chief (and former miner) Sid Hatfield and Mayor C. Testerman to protect miners from interference in their union drive in Matewan, West Virginia, Baldwin-Felts detectives hired by the local mining company and thirteen of the company's managers arrived to evict miners and their families from the Stone Mountain Mine camp. A gun battle ensued, resulting in the deaths of 7 detectives, Mayor Testerman, and 2 miners. Baldwin-Felts detectives assasinated Sid Hatfield 15 months later, sparking off an armed rebellion of 10,000 West Virginia coal miners at "The Battle of Blair Mountain," dubbed "the largest insurrection this country has had since the Civil War"
22
June 1922
Violence erupted during a coal-mine strike at Herrin, Illinois. Thirty-six were killed, 21 of them non-union miners.
Violence erupted during a coal-mine strike at Herrin, Illinois. Thirty-six were killed, 21 of them non-union miners.
14
June 1924
A San Pedro, California IWW hall was raided; a number of children were scalded when the hall was demolished.
A San Pedro, California IWW hall was raided; a number of children were scalded when the hall was demolished.
25
May 1925
Two company houses occupied by nonunion coal miners were blown up and destroyed by labor "racketeers" during a strike against the Glendale Gas and Coal Company in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Two company houses occupied by nonunion coal miners were blown up and destroyed by labor "racketeers" during a strike against the Glendale Gas and Coal Company in Wheeling, West Virginia.
21
November 1927
A fight broke out between Colorado state police and a group of striking coal miners, during which the unarmed miners were attacked with machine guns. It is unclear whether the machine guns were used by the police or by guards working for the mine. Six strikers were killed, and dozens were injured.
A fight broke out between Colorado state police and a group of striking coal miners, during which the unarmed miners were attacked with machine guns. It is unclear whether the machine guns were used by the police or by guards working for the mine. Six strikers were killed, and dozens were injured.
4 May
1931
Gun-toting vigilantes attack striking miners in Harlan County, Kentucky. As of May 1932, eleven people had been killed: five deputies, four miners, a labor activist and a local storekeeper sympathetic to the strikers.
Gun-toting vigilantes attack striking miners in Harlan County, Kentucky. As of May 1932, eleven people had been killed: five deputies, four miners, a labor activist and a local storekeeper sympathetic to the strikers.
Bayonets keep striking Harlan pickets at bay.
7
March 1932
Police kill striking workers at Ford's Dearborn, Michigan plant.
Police kill striking workers at Ford's Dearborn, Michigan plant.
10
October 1933
18,000 cotton workers went on strike in Pixley, California. Four were killed before a pay-hike was finally won.
18,000 cotton workers went on strike in Pixley, California. Four were killed before a pay-hike was finally won.
1934
The Electric Auto-Lite Strike. In Toledo, OH, two strikers were killed and over two hundred wounded by National Guardsmen. Some 1300 National Guard troops, including included eight rifle companies and three machine gun companies, were called in to disperse the protestors.
The Electric Auto-Lite Strike. In Toledo, OH, two strikers were killed and over two hundred wounded by National Guardsmen. Some 1300 National Guard troops, including included eight rifle companies and three machine gun companies, were called in to disperse the protestors.
Funeral procession for the two men killed during strike of 1934
1
September - 22 September 1934
A strike in Woonsocket, RI, part of a national movement to obtain a minimum wage for textile workers, resulted in the deaths of three workers. Over 420,000 workers ultimately went on strike.
A strike in Woonsocket, RI, part of a national movement to obtain a minimum wage for textile workers, resulted in the deaths of three workers. Over 420,000 workers ultimately went on strike.
30
May 1937
Police killed 10 and wounded 30 during the "Memorial Day Massacre" at the Republic Steel plant in Chicago.
Police killed 10 and wounded 30 during the "Memorial Day Massacre" at the Republic Steel plant in Chicago.
Troops confronting miners on a railroad track 1939
20
April 1948
Labor leader Walter Reuther was shot and seriously wounded by would-be assassins.
Labor leader Walter Reuther was shot and seriously wounded by would-be assassins.
UAWs organizers Walter Reuther and Richard Frankensteen afterr beating during an unsuccessful attempt to organize the Dearborn plant 1937
5
April 1956
Columnist Victor Riesel, a crusader against labor racketeers, was blinded in New York City when a hired assailant threw sulfuric acid in his face.
Columnist Victor Riesel, a crusader against labor racketeers, was blinded in New York City when a hired assailant threw sulfuric acid in his face.
3
November 1979
Five labor organizers were killed at the Greensboro Massacre in Greensboro, North Carolina. A rally organized to protest recruitment by the KKK and American Nazi Party at Cone Mills and various other textile mills in the area, where workers were attempting to organize across racial lines, turned violent, resulting in the deaths of the organizers. It was subsequently revealed that U.S. government CIA collaborators marched alongside the KKK and Nazi collaborators, and that the Greensboro Police Department, an agent of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, and a paid FBI informant were all aware of the potential for violence, yet did nothing to prevent it (surprisingly, there was not a single police officer present at the rally).
Five labor organizers were killed at the Greensboro Massacre in Greensboro, North Carolina. A rally organized to protest recruitment by the KKK and American Nazi Party at Cone Mills and various other textile mills in the area, where workers were attempting to organize across racial lines, turned violent, resulting in the deaths of the organizers. It was subsequently revealed that U.S. government CIA collaborators marched alongside the KKK and Nazi collaborators, and that the Greensboro Police Department, an agent of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, and a paid FBI informant were all aware of the potential for violence, yet did nothing to prevent it (surprisingly, there was not a single police officer present at the rally).
Medical workers treat a strike victim in 1934
As this long, but uncomplete, list illustrates, there has been no shortage of violence in labor disputes. It has not been the unions, however, who have caused it. The myth of the "union thug" is a fantasy of the right wing, who wants everyone to think the worker is the problem. Considering the hundreds of worker deaths and the many acts carried out against them and their families, it seems ludicrous to paint the labot movement as being bent on violence. Hopefully, the oppressive legislation being adopted by so many states will wake up the unions even more and re-kindle the organizing spirit that led to the rise of labor unionism and the subsequent creation of the American middle class.ng with
Thanks for the fine tribute. We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us! In SOLIDARITY!
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