1914: Coal strike ends

X post in Labor & GD. IF ANYONE is a subscriber please post the rest of the story.

OS

http://www.chieftain.com/news/3077944-120/dec-parks-strike-1914

BY PETER STRESCINO THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

Published: December 8, 2014; Last modified: December 8, 2014 04:00AM

After almost 15 months of sometimes bloody, vicious conflict, the strike in the southern coal fields was ended when the United Mine Workers of America voted to return to work, according to The Pueblo Chieftain the week of Dec. 7, 1914.

Since the beginning of May, the violence that produced the Ludlow Massacre between strikers and the Colorado militia and the mine owners’ mercenary army, had declined from the deadly battles that some estimates say killed more than 200 people.

Outgoing Gov. Elias Ammons, who came under fire for his one-sided (companies) handling of the affair, said people should “just forget about it and go for a prosperous 1915.” CF&I President J.F Welborn said his company had too many employees, but strikers without violent charges against them would be welcomed back as soon as positions opened.

The paper did not go into much detail about the reasons why the strike was ended, and there was no deal struck. Leaders of the UMWA said they hoped the companies would follow President Woodrow Wilson’s suggestions that the sides avoid intimidation of the other and form grievance committees to resolve issues. The owners had not agreed to any of the union or the president’s demands.

DIGITAL SUBSCRIBERS: LOG IN TO READ THE FULL STORY.
- See more at: http://www.chieftain.com/news/3077944-120/dec-parks-strike-1914#sthash.uRFVzGdw.dpuf