The Seattle General Strike was a work stoppage by more than 65,000 workers in Seattle from February 6-11, 1919. The strike began in shipyards when workers were refused pay increases after two years of World War I wage controls. Most of the city's 110 local unions joined the walkout in solidarity with the shipyard workers. Although the strike was non-violent and union members continued to meet the city's basic and emergency needs, government officials, the press, and much of the public viewed the strike as a radical attempt to subvert U. S. institutions.
The Machinists Union dues book pictured here belonged to Gus Carlson, who, at the time of the Seattle General Strike, was a member of the International Association of Machinists (now International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, IAM&AW, IAM, or the Machinists Union). Mr. Carlson's book is fully stamped for the years 1919-1923, showing he paid his dues each month during that period. There is a Strike stamp at March 1919, and several unemployed stamps for periods when Mr. Carlson was out of work. During the period covered by this book, Local or Hope Lodge 79 operated out of the Collins Building in Pioneer Square, a building which as of 2018 is still standing at Second Avenue and James Street.
Caption information source: http://www.iam160.com/LL%2079%20History.htm Caption information source: http://pcad.lib.washington.edu/building/5346 Caption information source: http://depts.washington.edu/labhist/strike/index.shtml
Physical Description: 1 book (16 p.) ; 2.75 x 5.25 in.
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant. Metadata updated as part of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
