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, including members of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), 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.
This image of workers was taken at the Skinner & Eddy Corporation shipyard located between Dearborn Street and Connecticut Street (now Royal Brougham Way). Skinner & Eddy employed about 13,500 people and is notable for completing more ships for the U.S. war effort during World War I than any other American shipyard.
Webster & Stevens number: 66784
Caption information source: http://depts.washington.edu/labhist/strike/index.shtml
Physical Description: 1 negative : nitrate, b&w ; 8 x 10 in. ; sulfiding
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.
