The 1934 West Coast waterfront strike | Oregon Experience | OPB

On May 9, 1934, more than 12,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association walked off the job from Bellingham to San Diego. They demanded better working conditions, union recognition and a coastwide contract.
The strike would cripple shipping and paralyze commerce for nearly three months. Despite violent clashes up and down the coast, solidarity bound the longshoremen together in a fight they were determined to win.
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[@joellowe2215]

Cool, this is a great documentary, as a union worker i love seeing stuff like this. It helps showing people what unions are and what they mean for us as working men and women.

[@sheilasmith5992]

i’m

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i’m

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i’m

[@sheilasmith5992]

7:41

[@sheilasmith5992]

i’m

[@biffa1234100]

God bless you and RIP brother Harry Bridges, " A working class hero is something to be ". John Lennon.

[@charleshof6394]

This is a real education for all of us. I might add that is very timely. Labor is making strides and employers are getting worried. The conditions the union folks through and their commitment is really heartening. All people need their dignity. Being in a Union, getting better working conditions, better pay, and dignity is what creates a middle class.

[@khiem1939]

Marvin Ricks and my Father, known as Jack Kaptur were partners working on the Portland Waterfront, in the 1934 strike my Father received a fractured skull from the Portland Police while on Picket Duty. As a kid I remember going to the Marvin Rick's home at Lake Oswego with my parents. Later during WWII, my Father became a Walking Boss and worked for Brady Stevedoring Company, loading ships for Russia. Years later after a piece of scrap from one of Schnitzer's overloaded scrap trucks fell off and injured my father's shoulder, he was forced into retirement, having worked on the Portland, Vancouver, Kalama and Beaver docks as a Longshoreman and Walking Boss for most of his adult life! Among his documents, I still have his Coast Guard I.D. and Certification Card!

[@biffa1234100]

God bless you Eugene , your father sounds like he was dedicated Union man a real working class hero and I salute him, may he RIP.

[@trailerparkpundit]

We need a workers movement with this kind of commitment more now than ever!

[@danielpirone8028]

Great program. Thanks for keeping the history alive!

[@williamlloyd3769]

West Coast longshoreman contract has just expired and things are getting interesting.

[@stevefranks1711]

What a terrific, informative documentary. I knew nothing about the 1934 strike -- had never even heard about it. I am enlightened and inspired. Thank you!

[@erwinl.8152]

I think this is absolutely fantastic. I’ve been an Oregonian my whole life but I didn’t know anything about this beyond there was a strike in the 30s. I wish I could go back and ask my grandpa what living in Portland during the strike was like. I also never heard of Julius Meier’s involvement before. Seriously well done. I feel like such a more well-informed Oregonian and also the history of the whole west coast’s labor movement. Did a rising tide float all boats, so to speak? Did other maritime fields also get better representation? Like cannery workers and merchant marines?

[@tylerthurber8349]

Speaking from a Oregonian non union tradesman, manipulative overworking practices are still in effect to this day. It’s quite sad, and frustrating for the hardworking employees. So much so that yes, I’m set to join a union and looking forward to a better workplace for my future. This was a great documentary.

[@biffa1234100]

we need to "Rise like lions " Tyler and stand together.

[@halstaples2469]

I attended James John and Roosevelt High. Graduated in 1963. Spent most of my free time at Pear Park and the recreation center. Never once heard this history!!! Great documentary. Thank you OPB.

[@amandaearp2773]

This is so good! Once again OPB you've hit it out of the park with another great Oregon Experience. I've lived in Oregon my whole life and I've never heard this story. It's infuriating how the labor movement was just glossed over in public education, I wish this was taught to us in high school. This is extremely timely, we have workers suffering across the US, wealth inequality is at an all time high....we need workers to feel empowered to take back the reins and fight for workers!

[@danellboggs8241]

X I #21a#234

[@thomasoaxaca3379]

Of course, just look at what the labor unions did to Detroit.

[@wild-radio7373]

Loved this♡ 👍

[@RayNomadic]

What a great time that would be.

[@age_of_reason]

"All right all right, shape up!"

[@isfahantour5675]

Hello my good friend.have you ever traveled to Isfahan?! Isfahan is famous for half the world..Isfahan is a must see

[@elijahwilliams7975]

Reality check we are in a ression that is worse than that just not in the same way because of technology changes

[@petergay4709]

I am never gonna die Organize And they shot joe hiil

[@builtnotboughtmadeinphilip3955]

Everyone wore a hat

[@philippesauvie639]

Brought to you by Communists in America and Fewers Lykewe … What a philanthropist!

[@3ehahn]

You probably want child labor back. Maybe try being a worker once.