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Labor officials began their unionization drive against Republic Steel in May 1937. The Little Steel companies were led by Republic Steel's antilabor president Tom M. Girdler. The SWOC organized workers and held rallies to recruit new members. Republic responded through intimidation and by spying on local union leaders. The Little Steel companies braced themselves for battle by increasing their stores of guns, tear gas, and billy clubs. They also added new plant guards to their already large security forces. SWOC locals called for a strike, and seventy-five thousand workers walked off the job on 26 May. In steel towns from Illinois to Ohio SWOC members set up picket lines. The first days of the strike were peaceful.
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This section contains 122 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) |
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