The Republic Steel Strike

The Republic Steel Strike

click link for full story.  Historical story of Republic steel strike of 37

snip Carrying American flags and singing union songs, the marchers-- men, women and a few youngsters--formed a long line as they crossed the grassy field.

Their destination was the main gate at Republic Steel's South Chicago plant on the city's Southeast Side, but facing them were about 150 Chicago police. It was a hot and sticky Memorial Day that soon would get even hotter.Beyond the police was the massive steel plant, the only one in the Chicago area that had stayed open during a bitter nationwide showdown between a number of steel companies and the Steel Workers Organizing Committee, which was trying to unionize the plants.

A combative mood was in the air. The nascent steelworkers union was determined to win a contract. The owners were equally determined not to surrender to the union. Swinging riot clubs, the police had turned back another group of demonstrators two days earlier. Eighteen marchers had been injured.