In spring 1937, the eyes of the nation were on Monroe. The Steel Workers Organizing Committee had organized a handful of workers at Republic's Newton facility. On June 10, about 120 pickets confronted over 1,000 non-unionized workers and "special deputies" armed with bats and clubs. When efforts failed to resolve the tensions, the "citizen army" fired tear gas, stormed the picket line, set ablaze the strikers' ?kitchen,' and dumped their cars into the river. The pickets scattered, and the non-union plant was reopened. This event was a major setback for organized labor. Republic left its outmoded Newton operation in 1942. In 1947, Kelsey-Hays, which owned the facility, recognized UAW Local #723.
Comments 0 comments