Winter strikes in the California mountain camps building Pacific Light & Power’s massive Big Creek Hydroelectric Project.

‘Big Strike at Big Creek’ from Industrial Worker. Vol. 4 No. 45. January 30, 1913.

On Sunday, January 12, the almost unbearable conditions in the camps at Big Creek. Cal. reached a climax when the men drove the cook out of camp 3.

Superintendent Criddle decided to take a hand in repressing the revolt. He fired several of the men whom he called ringleaders and agitators. All of the other men in the camp quit at once in protest.

A committee of the workers visited camps 4 and 5 and lined them up in full sympathy. Delegates were selected from the three camps, a list of grievances drawn up, and a committee appointed to visit the other camps and acquaint the men with the situation.

Camp 2, camp 7, and all camps in what is known as the Basin, decided to stand firm. They sent representatives to confer with the delegates from the other camps. These representatives formed themselves into a committee and decided to lay the matter before Mr. Thebo, the general superintendent.

A conference was held with Mr. Thebo, which resulted in the granting of ten of the demands and an absolute refusal to grant the first demand, the vital one, asking reinstatement of the discharged men. The committee disbanded to report to their respective camps. Meanwhile disruptive forces were at work.

Telephone communication was necessary on account of the long distance between camps. Taking advantage of this the company officials isolated camp 3 and then sent their stool pigeons to circulate the report that the camp would go to work in the morning. Camps 4 and 5 decided to accept the concessions only if approved by camp 3. Camp 3 condemned the matter. As a result of the company’s strategy camps 4 and 5 returned to work and all the men in camp 3 were ordered out of camp.

Contrary to their agreement the company fired from camp 2 some who had taken an active part in the strike. The men in camp, when fired, marched in a body to camps 4 and 5 and pulled them out. All other camps joined in with the result that a complete tie-up ensued, 2800 men being involved. The company then decided to close down and force a lock-out.

Notices were posted in all camps telling the men to call for their time. As many of the men in securing employment had to sign an agreement of 30 to 45 days, fares amounting from $4.40 to $10.80, as well as board and hospital fees, were deducted from their pay. This action left the greater part of the men dead broke amid the snows of the Sierras, 60 to 80 miles from civilization.

Transportation was absolutely refused. The men in desperation took possession of the train and rode in to Fresno.

Organizer P. McEvoy of the I.W.W. arrived on the scene and acted in an advisory capacity throughout the strike.

McEvoy gives his report as follows:

Arriving at the seat of battle I found the tunnel camps closed down. The committee told me their plans and I assisted them in handling the situation.

Camp 3 started for the Basin. Camps 4 and 5 followed. First we met the section men. They came out. Next we called on camp 2 consisting of machinists, boilermakers, miners, muckers, warehousemen, etc. They came out to a man. Then we proceeded to the Basin. The first was a steam shovel camp. Everybody came out. Next was a roust-about camp and all were willing. Next was a concrete camp. We experienced a little difficulty but finally paralyzed the whole works.

The next move was for the men to eat. To make it easy on the cooks we split our forces and ate at the different camps. After dinner we held meetings at each camp. On our way back several speakers addressed the workers and explained what the men were out for. It was unanimously carried that demands be drawn up.

Then we marched to camp 2 and held meetings in front of the office. I.W.W. principles were expounded by speakers in all languages. The elected committee waited on the superintendent, Mr. Thebo, and after an hour’s conference the committee reported that the company had promised that there would be no discrimination and the men could rustle their own jobs, but the camps would be closed down for 30 days and conditions would be improved right away. Afterwards it was learned that Mr. Thebo tried to get men for camp 7.

Leaving there on the 9th I boarded the train with 60 others. The attempt was made to put off those who had no tickets but the men stuck until within 20 miles of Fresno. The company tried to charge 10 cents per mile for riding in a box car.

Arriving at Fresno the men were met by the I.W.W. and provisions were made to feed and care for those who were broke because the company had deprived them of their wages. Some of the men want to take legal procedure against the company. If that wins, all right. If it does not, we know what will win.

The Industrial Union Bulletin, and the Industrial Worker were newspapers published by the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) from 1907 until 1913. First printed in Joliet, Illinois, IUB incorporated The Voice of Labor, the newspaper of the American Labor Union which had joined the IWW, and another IWW affiliate, International Metal Worker.The Trautmann-DeLeon faction issued its weekly from March 1907. Soon after, De Leon would be expelled and Trautmann would continue IUB until March 1909. It was edited by A. S. Edwards. 1909, production moved to Spokane, Washington and became The Industrial Worker, “the voice of revolutionary industrial unionism.”

PDF of full issue: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/industrialworker/iw/v4n45-w201-jan-30-1913-IW.pdf