1946 Oakland general strike facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 1946 Oakland general strike |
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On the first day of the general strike, crowds gather in the streets, blocking traffic in downtown Oakland.
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| Date | December 3–5, 1946 |
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| Methods | Striking |
The Oakland general strike was a major event that happened in Oakland, California, from December 3 to 5, 1946. It started after about 400 women who worked at two big stores, Hastings and Kahn's, went on strike. These workers wanted to form a union, but the store owners in Oakland didn't want them to.
Why Workers Stood Up
Efforts to organize workers at Kahn's and Hastings department stores began in the summer of 1946. A war veteran named Al Kidder, who worked in the shoe department at Kahn's, started these efforts. Kahn's and Hastings were very important stores in downtown Oakland. They also had the most workers who were not part of a union.
Al Kidder earned only $28 a week as a shoe salesman. He found out that salespeople at other stores in town were making $10 more each week. His mother also worked at Kahn's in a special "ready room." Workers there only got paid when they were called to the main sales floor. These unfair practices made Al Kidder ask unions why they weren't helping these stores.
On October 23, 1946, a strike began at Kahn's and Hastings. This happened after a woman working at Kahn's was fired for joining a union. Al Kidder helped lead the workers during these early strikes. He also played a big part in the general strike that followed.
The Big Strike Begins
The Oakland general strike was a very important moment in the history of workers' rights in Northern California. It was part of a larger wave of strikes across the United States after World War II. Workers wanted to make sure their living standards stayed good after the war.
In early December, the strike grew stronger. The city government and business leaders supported the stores. They even called the police to remove the workers who were protesting. But working men and women gathered in downtown Oakland to support the striking department store employees.
Oakland's strike was special because it aimed to organize new workers. These were mostly women who worked as clerks in department stores. As the tension grew, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in Alameda County decided to join the clerks.
- The AFL is a large group of unions that work together.
- They declared a "Work Holiday," which meant many workers would stop working.
- About 142 AFL unions joined in, causing 100,000 workers to walk off their jobs.
By the first night of the strike, the workers had managed to shut down almost all stores. Only pharmacies, food markets, and bars were allowed to stay open. Veterans from World War II who were part of the strike marched around the Tribune Tower. They even demanded that the mayor and city council leave their jobs. The first day of the strike was full of excitement. People played music on the sidewalks, and couples danced in the street.
However, by the second day, almost half of the striking workers had left. Harry Lundeberg, a major union leader, was called to Oakland for support. He spoke to a huge crowd of workers. He was very angry at the city council, saying they were acting like dictators.
On December 5, the AFL Central Labor Council announced that the strike was over. They used a special truck with a loudspeaker to tell everyone. Still, some workers and truck drivers kept protesting with the women clerks. Everyone except the clerks was told to go back to work. If they kept protesting, they would face punishment.
What Happened Next
The strike had some big results. All the leaders of the Oakland Teamsters Local 70 union lost their positions. Also, the AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) was created to help people run for political office.
Out of nine city council seats, five were open for election. Four candidates who were supported by labor unions were elected to the city council. This showed the power of the workers' movement in Oakland.
Images for kids
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On the first day of the general strike, crowds gather in the streets, blocking traffic in downtown Oakland.
