Editing Streetcar operators' strike
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[[Image:1908militia.jpg|thumb|left|State militia camping in the median of [[Palafox Street]]]] | [[Image:1908militia.jpg|thumb|left|State militia camping in the median of [[Palafox Street]]]] | ||
− | As the lines continued to be run by strikebreakers, Florida Adjutant General Clifford Foster, Escambia County Solicitor [[Scott M. Loftin]], and other parties worked to bring the two sides together to mediate the dispute. Progress seemed to be made (Foster stated on April 15 that the prospects of a settlement were “very bright”),<ref>“The Prospects of a Settlement of the Strike Very Bright,” Pensacola Journal, April 15, 1908.</ref> and as a result, strike-related tension and violence tapered off, and state militia troops began to withdraw from the city, with only one reserve company remaining in the city by [[April 20]]. | + | As the lines continued to be run by strikebreakers, Florida Adjutant General Clifford Foster, Escambia County Solicitor [[Scott M. Loftin]], and other parties worked to bring the two sides together to mediate the dispute. Progress seemed to be made (Foster stated on April 15 that the prospects of a settlement were “very bright”),<ref>“The Prospects of a Settlement of the Strike Very Bright,” Pensacola Journal, April 15, 1908.</ref> and as a result, strike-related tension and violence tapered off, and state militia troops began to withdraw from the city, with only one reserve company remaining in the city by [[April 20]]. However, on [[April 21]], a crowd fired upon a streetcar on the West Hill line and fatally wounded the conductor, a Mr. [[G. Hoffman]].<ref>Flynt, 323.</ref> Two strikers were arrested in connection with the shooting, and, although the men were later released, the previously widespread support of the public at this point began to diminish. Stenographer [[W. L. Wittich, Jr.]] was also fired upon while boarding a streetcar. On the evening of [[May 11]], a streetcar was dynamited on the [[East Hill]] line. Although there were no passengers on board, and the two operators were uninjured, and there was only minimal damage to the car, the act was vilified in the press. The ''Pensacola Journal'' called the act "dastardly". The union promptly denounced the act and denied that any of its members were responsible. A ''Union Bulletin'' of [[May 12]] noted, “It is to be regretted because whether or not a union man did the work, the company will so charge, and at least a portion of the public so believe.” |
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− | However, on [[April 21]], a crowd fired upon a streetcar on the West Hill line and fatally wounded the conductor, a Mr. [[G. Hoffman]].<ref>Flynt, 323.</ref> | ||
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− | On the evening of [[May 11]], a streetcar was dynamited on the [[East Hill]] line. Although there were no passengers on board, and the two operators were uninjured, and there was only minimal damage to the car, the act was vilified in the press. The ''Pensacola Journal'' called the act "dastardly". The union promptly denounced the act and denied that any of its members were responsible. A ''Union Bulletin'' of [[May 12]] noted, “It is to be regretted because whether or not a union man did the work, the company will so charge, and at least a portion of the public so believe.” | ||
==The strike is broken== | ==The strike is broken== | ||
[[Image:Carbarn-accomodations.PNG|thumb|right|Strikebreakers were lodged inside the streetcar barn]] | [[Image:Carbarn-accomodations.PNG|thumb|right|Strikebreakers were lodged inside the streetcar barn]] | ||
− | Despite much support from the community, the strike was eventually broken | + | Despite much support from the community, the strike was eventually broken. As a show of solidarity with the union men, employees at the Pensacola Navy Yard had begun using chartered boats for their commute, refusing to patronize the streetcar lines run by strikebreakers. However, this practice was stopped when the Yard’s commandant issued an order prohibiting the vessels from landing, forcing the Yard workers to use the strikebreaker-run Bayshore line to get to and from work.<ref>“Strikers Call Off Street Car Strike,” Pensacola Journal, May 17, 1908.</ref> This, combined with the turning public opinion, and the adamant refusal of the company to negotiate or submit to arbitration, did much to hasten the end of the strike. |
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− | On [[May 13]], after another streetcar was nearly but unsuccessfully dynamited, the remaining unionized strikers officially ended the strike, but were not offered back their jobs.<ref>Scott Satterwhite, “The Great Pensacola Streetcar Strike of 1908,” Boogie Pensacola, February 23, 2000.</ref> | + | Their spirits broken by a month of unemployment, on May 11, sixteen of the striking workers begged Manager Leadley for their jobs back, although they had won no concessions from the company.<ref>Flynt, 325.</ref> As a condition of their reemployment, the men had to sign a statement affirming that the strike had been unjustified, and that they had left their union, and sign a contract stating that their employment with the company would cease if they ever again joined a union. The statement appeared in the Pensacola Journal the following day.<ref>“Sixteen Conductors and Motormen Return to Work,” Pensacola Journal, May 12, 1908.</ref> On [[May 13]], after another streetcar was nearly but unsuccessfully dynamited, the remaining unionized strikers officially ended the strike, but were not offered back their jobs.<ref>Scott Satterwhite, “The Great Pensacola Streetcar Strike of 1908,” Boogie Pensacola, February 23, 2000.</ref> |
==Impact of the strike== | ==Impact of the strike== | ||
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Image:1908militia4.jpg|State militia posing on the steps of the [[Escambia County Courthouse|Federal Customs House & Post Office]] | Image:1908militia4.jpg|State militia posing on the steps of the [[Escambia County Courthouse|Federal Customs House & Post Office]] | ||
Image:Strikebreakers.PNG|Strikebreakers pose at the car barn | Image:Strikebreakers.PNG|Strikebreakers pose at the car barn | ||
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Image:Pr08429.jpg|Mounted state militia patrol during strike | Image:Pr08429.jpg|Mounted state militia patrol during strike | ||
Image:Strikers-tent.PNG|Strikers in tents advertising strike rally at [[Opera House]] | Image:Strikers-tent.PNG|Strikers in tents advertising strike rally at [[Opera House]] |