Steel Comes to Monroe
Standard operating procedures in the steel industry, the Depression and other economic factors during the 1930s set the stage for conflict at Republic's Newton mill in Monroe
The CIO Emerges and Steel Postures
The CIO targets Republic, the largest of the nonun
Republic Says NO!
Interpretations of the Wagner Act polarized the company and the CIO. The union demanded a signed agreement, and the company claimed that agreements weren't mandatory under recent labor law.
Is Violence Coming to Monroe?
trike violence in the 1930s was not uncommon, and the recent "Memorial Day Massacre" in Chicago—at the site of another Republic Steel plant—was a definite possibility.
The Principal Players
Authorities in Monroe, the steel company, and unions all played a part in the strike.
One Union Strikes, One Union Doesn't
The Steel Workers Association (SWA) wants to keep working, and the CIO Steel Workers Organizing Committee (SWOC) threatens to strike if a CIO union contract isn't signed by Republic Steel.
The Lines are Drawn
The CIO strikes Republic on May 28, 1937, and picket lines form near the Newton mill.
The Mayor's Citizen Army
The UAW CIO threatens to invade Monroe in support of the strikers. The Mayor mobilizes armed citizens as special police to counter the threat.
The Line is Broken
For thirteen days the strike was peaceful.
Shortly after 6:00 pm on June 10, 1937, violence erupted.
A Day at the Park
To avoid violence, Michigan Gov. Frank Murphy allows the CIO to hold a strike rally in the state park outside Monroe, and mobilizes the national guard to maintain order.
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Peaceful Picketing
Tuesday, June 15, the City of Monroe, law enforcement, Republic Steel, and the CIO agree to terms for peaceful continuation of the strike by developing picketing rules.
The Eyes of the Nation
Monroe was vaulted into the national spotlight, and people around the country viewed developments with interest.
Epilogue
A year later, Senate hearings investigated allegations of violations of free speech and rights of labor in the Monroe strike. The inquiry revealed interesting information.
Who's an Outsider
In small-town Monroe where most people knew their neighbors, outsiders could be easily identified—due to appearance (nationality or color of skin), political leanings, or union affiliation.
The "Communist" CIO
As unions emerged in the U.S., they were often viewed with mistrust. Claims that unions were Communist-controlled were fairly common.
The Beating of Leondies McDonald
Black CIO organizer Leondies McDonald was attacked and beaten by a white mob in downtown Monroe. Was this purely racially-motivated, or based in hatred for the CIO and outsiders?
Citizen Knaggs
addition to being a local politician thrust into the national limelight, Daniel A. Knaggs was a local resident, a businessman, and a family man.
The Mayor's Mailbag
The Mayor became a celebrity due to his handling of the Monroe situation. From around the country, people expressed their respect, admiration, and sometimes animosity by letter and telegram. |
