Witness to the 1936-37 Flint Sit Down Strike – Geraldine Blankinship

February 11, 2017

Today is White Shirt Day, where we remember the Flint Sit-Down Strikers that paved the way for working people across the nation.

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At the end of the 19th century, anthracite or hard coal mining was big business and high profits. The hard and dangerous work didn’t lead to rewards for the miners so they started working toward recognition of their union.

By 1902, however, the economics of coal were different, so different that mine owners would oddly welcomed a strike to keep production costs low and coal prices high. Strikes helped owners keep the supply of coal low and with no other ready power source for customers, mine owners reaped steady profits despite the downturn.

On May 12, 1902, a strike began for better pay and hours. The companies refused to negotiate. And with winter looming, President Theodore Roosevelt became concerned about the strike’s threat to households across the country.

Roosevelt formed a fact-finding commission Oct. 3, 1902, to investigate the conditions of the coal fields. This was shocking both for its even-handedness and lack of violence, as federal authorities usually intervened by sending in troops to attack strikers.

Based on the work of the commission and the trust it built, the strike ended on Oct. 23, 1902. Workers won many concessions, but not all. But the most important accomplishment by far was having the federal government play a neutral role in resolving the strike. #UnionHistory #PROUAW ... See MoreSee Less

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Robert Luerssen, Robert Maynard and 45 others like this

Andy LinkoWhen compromise and civility were present!

8 hours ago

Tim FitzpatrickThis was a true republican president

8 hours ago

Paul Riedla truly great man.

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