Minneapolis Teamsters Strike

The Minneapolis Teamsters Strike of 1934 was instrumental in beginning to garner workers' rights. It occurred at the height of the Great Depression, so the workers had to fight numerous circumstances working against them. These circumstances included thousands of unemployed workers willing to replace possible strikers. The union worked against these circumstances, and actually even curried some into their favor, to make improvements to workers' rights that still exist now.

The workers were looking for a new contract with better pay and working conditions. The capitalists refused to recognize their union or provide them. This set the workers up with more than enough opportunity for a strike. The problem was that the International leader of the Teamsters, the conservative Daniel Tobin, was averse to striking under almost any circumstances. The local leaders, expelled Communist Party members, ignored his disapproval of the strike and went on with it.

A possible strike would end up encountering massive problems. One of these problems was the massive number of unemployed that could serve as scab workers. The union recognized this, and formed their own chapter of the union for the unemployed. Another problem would be getting medical care for wounded strikers, as it was seen that the strike would become violent. The union enlisted nurses to help tend for the injured at union headquarters. The workers were also helped by the fact that their wives were enlisted to help prepare food and help the nurses tend to injured workers. Sympathetic farmers and small businessmen provided food for the picketers. Some inside sympathizers, such as secretaries, would help provide information on the capitalist's plans. This collective effort would help the strike become effective.

When the strike began, it would involve hand to hand combat with police and hired goons, and stoppage of trucks. These violent methods of action were disapproved by the formerly

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