January 27 1934
The Monroe plant begins producing near capacity. The Newton Falls plant is slated to open by February 19th to handle the overflow of business.
January 29 1934
Around this time there are rumors about a merger between General Motors and Newton Steel.
February 1 1934
The Newton Falls facility is set to re-open. This plant has been idle since March 1931. Between 800 and 900 workers will be employed. On this date newspapers in New York and Cleveland reported about the interest in a merger.
February 3 1934
Steel companies vow to " resist all attacks on their company unions.” Automobile production increases.
February 5 1934
“Steel” magazine reports that discussions between GM and Newton about a merger are “dead.”
March 23 1934
Newton Steel Club will present 7 bouts of exhibition boxing. Mayor Knaggs, Chief of Police Fisher and the American Legion are invited.
March 27 1934
The entire steel industry raises pay by 10%. A speech given by President Roosevelt on collective bargaining is interpreted differently by the labor movement and companies.
March 28 1934
Under the labor code, workers cannot work more than 40 hours so the 10% raise given to workers has less of an effect. The Monroe plant is operating at capacity with 1500 workers. 75 are transferred back to the Newton Falls facility.
April 2 1934
The Custer Lodge of the AFL, representing steel and tin workers, welcomes Mayor Knaggs and Chief Fisher to their meeting.
May 13 1934
$41 is taken from the office of the Newton Steel Association. Newton Steel plant is idled due to a lack of orders. This was a routine occurrence for this time of year.
May 23 1934
The AFL seeks recognition from companies in the steel industry.
July 3 1934
Great Lakes Steel announces they will spend millions of dollars on a new continuous sheet mill in Ecorse.
July 9 1934
New rumors begin to circulate about a merger between Newton Steel and General Motors. A Cleveland newspaper runs an article stating that merger talks are being held with the Republic and Corrigan-McKinney.
July 10 1934
A Republic Steel merger with Corrigan has been given the a preliminary OK. According to a newspaper article, Corrigan controls Newton Steel with its modern sheet mill in Monroe. Republic Steel severs its 20 year connection with the AFL in its Warren, Ohio district plants.
July 13 1934
The Newton Steel plant in Monroe is closed for a month. It will open on the following Monday. Business at the Newton Falls location has tapered off.
June 20 1934
The AFL is loosing membership since Republic Steel will not acknowledge them. Newton steel employees prepare to form an independent union that will be composed of AFL and Company unions. This union will be called the Newton Steel Workers association.
August 28 1934
Newton Steel is now officially a part of Republic Steel
September 17 1934
Republic Steel announces that they may build a continuous strip mill in Cleveland.
October 18 1934
The Newton Steel Worker’s Association files letters of protest about the proposed continuous strip mill. They state that that this plant will eliminate their jobs. They protest to the NRA, US Department of Labor and other organizations. |
