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In 1935, an unidentified writer, most likely employed by the Company,
wrote an account of three strikes at the National Tube Works in
McKeesport: 1894, 1901, and 1919. These narratives, though
not free of bias, give a vivid impression of worker agitation at
National Tube Works.
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".... May 14th, matters had arrived at a
point where the agitation for a return to the previous wage culminated in
decisive action among the "butt weld boys" .... with a "whoop
and yell" .... the strike was on...." |
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".... On the 13th of August .... having an
apparent excuse for a holiday, the "butt mill boys" joined the
strike. The colored iron workers organized a lodge, the bartenders ....
the painters and paperhangers organized .... all in sympathy with the
Amalgamated .... strike...." |
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".... the troopers hove in sight. At the
same time a freight train slowly moved towards McKeesport. Sergeant
Murphy .... headed his men along until they were a few yards from the crowd
.... Murphy gave the command to charge, and .... the horses shot along the
sidewalk." |
| Source: UE/Labor 91:6, Box 3061 |
Click here for newspaper clippings from the National Labor Journal
regarding the 1919 Steel Strike.
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