The Newton Steel strike occurred in 1937
January 26 1937
Foreclosure suit against Newton has concluded. Bonds are in default for $3,800,000.
March 3 1937
The Monroe National Guard unit returns from a sit-down strike in Flint. They tell of a complete lack of law and order and of receiving bad orders from their superiors.
March 18 1937
Republic Steel gains the title to the Newton Falls plant.
April 14 1937
Foreclosure suit ends against Newton Steel. Bank is permitted to acquire the property in 3 months time
May 12 1937
After meeting with the CIO, Republic Steel refuses to sign the labor contract.
May 21 1937
Newton employees form their own union to "safeguard their jobs."
May 27 1937
Picketing begins at Republic plants, except Monroe.
May 28 1937
Picketing begins at the Monroe plant.
May 29 1937
Newton Steel shuts its mill in Monroe.
May 30 1937
"Memorial Day Massacre" in Chicago. 10 people were killed as striking Republic Steel workers protested
June 1 1937
The Governor of Michigan asks Newton workers to seek an election for a strike vote
June 2 1937
In Warren, Ohio there is a strike at a plant. To assist workers who chose to cross the picket to work, food was being delivered by airplane. Gunshots were reportedly fired at the plane.
June 3 1937
Mayor Knaggs of Monroe calls Newton Steel plant workers to have a strike vote. Picketers open access to the road, which they previously blocked.
June 5 1937
Newton Steel workers are set to vote on the coming Monday to increase the number of voting workers.
June 8 1937
863 workers at the Newton Steel plant vote in favor of returning to work, which is the vast majority according to the local newspaper. The company will reopen the plant on Thursday
June 10 1937
Monroe civilians lead a worker caravan through the removed picket line on Elm Avenue.
June 11 1937
UAW President Martin calls for a massive 100,000 member meeting in Monroe at the Family Theatre. Fear of violence spurs the creation of a new Citizens Battalion.
60 workers from the Newton Steel plant register to create a new picket. City officials tell picketers that they cannot have signs placed in the ground because this would violate a city sign ordinance.
Hearing news of the bloody labor strike in Chicago, it was feared that violence would also erupt in Monroe from the Newton Steel strike and the UAW's proposed 100,000 member rally to take place in or around Monroe. Citizen deputies were appointed in order to
protect the citizens of Monroe, as seen above
June 19 1937
Mayor Knaggs disbands the Citizen Police Battalion. Cleveland Bank postpones the sale of Newton until August 24. The Wall Street Journal writes about the Monroe picketing laws, and says that the rest of the nation will follow its example.
June 23 1937
Monroe County votes to pay $4,000 of the $9,000 cost of the strike in Monroe.
June 28 1937
The state of Michigan passes a picketing law based loosely on Monroe’s city ordinance. Newton workers form a new group- the Monroe Steel Workers Association
July 9 1937
CIO calls for a massive strike at all Republic plants. “Not a single worker” does.
August 11 1937
Newton will close the plant 10 days for summer vacation
August 24 1937
Republic Steel Corporation acquires the Newton Steel Company for $2,550,000. It was the only bid at the foreclosure sale in the Monroe County Circuit Court. 50 people were in attendance. The Newton Falls, Ohio plant was purchased for $302,000 in a similar case last March 18. In the present trial, 6 pages of assets were presented.
August 28 1937
Newton Steel is now officially part of the Republic Corporation. The Newton name will no longer be used.
October 2 1937
Republic workers in Monroe file with the NLRB.
October 6 1937
Republic Steel announces that it will close down part of the Monroe mill when the new Cleveland strip mill begins operation. It also says that when the next period of improvements is made, the Monroe plant will modernize
October 27 1937
John L. Lewis of the CIO repudiates the entire Monroe strike incident and disavows any connection with it.
November 15 1937
Monroe paper mill worker will run against Mayor Knaggs for Mayor. "Neither myself nor my supporters have anything to do with the CIO, which is dead in Monroe."
November 26 1937
Operations have been temporarily suspended at the Monroe unit of Republic Steel. They will resume the following Monday for a small order. Executives at Republic are uncertain about what to do with the Monroe plant.
December 4 1937
Steel Workers Association endorses Mayor Knaggs.
December 7 1937
Mayor Knaggs re-elected by a 3 to 1 margin.
December 10 1937
Monroe plant will operate for a 10 day period starting Wednesday.
December 17 1937
The Monroe plant will work for a 6 day period between Christmas and the first of the year.
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