Mary Koken on the revolt of silk workers across forty-three mills in sleepy Allentown, Pennsylvania.

‘7,000 Strike in Allentown’ by Mary Koken from Labor Age. Vol. 20 No. 6. June, 1931.

ALLENTOWN is a city situated in the Lehigh Valley. It has an area of 15 square miles, and a population of about 100,000. It has 72 churches, 30 schools, 2 colleges, 2 preparatory schools and 358 factories. The slogan for Allentown is “Dwell Here and Prosper.”

Allentown is predominantly a Pennsylvania Dutch city, but has also a large population of Italians, Hungarians, Slavs, Germans and Poles.

The factories in Allentown include silk, rayon, tractors, trucks, wire products, boots, shoes, lumber, wood and paper boxes, cigars, clothing, leather, furniture, hardware, cement, structural steel, etc. The largest among these is the silk industry, numbering 43 mills.

The Allentown Chamber of Commerce boasts of its cheap and contented labor. The hours of work are from 48 to 54 a week, and sometimes longer. Many of the silk mills that have a 48 hour week, work two-eight hour shifts; from 6 A.M. to 2 P.M. and from 2 P.M. to 10 P.M. A few mills work three 8-hour shifts. No lunch period is allowed in these mills.

Because of these conditions, many factories, especially silk, were brought into Allentown from other cities when they were pressed by organized labor.

This situation has been going on for a number of years. The workers did not realize that they were taking the jobs from those who refused to work for such low wages.

About two years ago, the silk manufacturers, who had organized themselves into an association, saw fit to cut wages. One mill after another received a wage cut. When it was seen that the workers accepted it without any trouble, it was tried again. After the first two or three cuts, the workers showed their dissatisfaction. One mill after another went on strike at different times. There was no unity among the workers in general. Consequently the strikes were lost.

Wage cuts continued during these two years, until the wages were practically cut in half, and in some instances, more than half. The workers were not told of the reductions, and were not aware of them until they received their pay checks. When the checks were passed out to the workers by the foreman, the superintendent stood in the background to watch the reaction of the workers. Naturally, everyone hesitated to express his opinion, for fear of losing his job.

Strenuous efforts have been made in the past two years by the U.T.W. to organize the silk workers. About seven months ago the first charter was granted. It included weavers, warpers, winders and loom fixers, numbering about 50 in all.

The Strike Starts

On April 22 of this year, the workers in one of the mills were told that they would receive a 16 per cent wage reduction. A number of weavers on the night shift were union members, and when they heard of the cut, they refused to go to work. They also helped to keep the rest of the night shift out. The next morning the whole night shift turned out before six o’clock, to keep the day shift out. The firm then sent its orders to another mill to have filled. The workers in that mill learned of it and refused to fill a scab order. Within a few days the news spread, and by the end of the week there were 28 mills on strike. A few mills closed down in order to prevent a strike, but in a few days opened again. Immediately the strikers surrounded the mills, hundreds of strikers picketing each mill. Those who were working became frightened, and joined the strikers. Most of the mills are out I00 per cent. A few mills still open their doors each morning for those who want to work, and a very small number of workers go in. Those who do are often taken home by the strikers. The number working is getting smaller each day.

There are now 43 mills on strike, affecting between six and seven thousand workers. A large number of the workers are Italians, Slavs, Germans and Pennsylvania Dutch. This is the largest silk strike in the history of Allentown.

Every day an investigation committee visits each mill to find out whether there is anyone working, and if there is, how many. The following morning the pickets, who meet at the strike headquarters every morning at 5:30, are told where to go on duty. This mass picketing has been very effective.

The strike thus far has been a peaceful one. The pickets are warned against violence. Three arrests have been made for throwing stones in the mills, but upon investigation it was found that the stones were thrown by outsiders.

There are at present between three and four thousand workers signed up with the union.

Committees Function

The committees that are functioning are: relief, finance, investigation, soliciting and picketing.

Shop meetings are held every day. In some instances every other day. Seventeen halls have been opened to the strikers for their meetings. A mass meeting is held every evening at headquarters. All these meetings are very well attended.

Speakers from various organizations have been heard at the mass meetings. Several informal talks have been given by one of the local school teachers, who has shown interest in the strike from the beginning. These talks deal with industrial problems, and the faults in our economic system. Much of this is new to the mass of the workers, but they listen with a great deal of interest. Strike songs are sung with enthusiasm. There is a splendid spirit among the workers, a determination to hold out until the strike is won.

Funds for relief are being raised in various ways. Strike ribbons are sold, both to strikers and sympathizers. A minstrel was given and a collection taken. Plans are under way for a benefit dance to be held June 3. A number of business men have given relief in the form of money and food. An average of 75 families per day receive relief. A noon meal is served at headquarters for those pickets who ordinarily buy their meals out, but whose funds have been used up. There are about 150 meals served daily.

The union agreement is, an eight hour day, a uniform wage-scale, and the recognition of the union. Two mills have already accepted the agreement, and. the workers have gone back to work. Another mill is expected to sign up shortly.

The workers are determined to win. They are ready to face anything in an effort to win the battle.

Labor Age was a left-labor monthly magazine with origins in Socialist Review, journal of the Intercollegiate Socialist Society. Published by the Labor Publication Society from 1921-1933 aligned with the League for Industrial Democracy of left-wing trade unionists across industries. During 1929-33 the magazine was affiliated with the Conference for Progressive Labor Action (CPLA) led by A. J. Muste. James Maurer, Harry W. Laidler, and Louis Budenz were also writers. The orientation of the magazine was industrial unionism, planning, nationalization, and was illustrated with photos and cartoons. With its stress on worker education, social unionism and rank and file activism, it is one of the essential journals of the radical US labor socialist movement of its time.

PDF of full issue: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/laborage/v20n06-Jun-1931-Labor%20Age.pdf