Massillon in Stark County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Little Steel Strike of 1937
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, February 8, 2015
1. The Little Steel Strike of 1937 Marker
During the New Deal of the 1930s, the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) formed the Steel Workers Organizing Committee (SWOC) under the leadership of CIO president John L. Lewis. Following successful CIO strikes in the rubber and automobile industries, SWOC signed hard-won contracts with U.S. Steel and Jones & Laughlin Steel, the nation's largest steelmakers, in early 1937. On May 26 SWOC struck three "Little Steel" companies for similar recognition: Inland, Republic, and Youngstown Sheet and Tube, many of whose operations were concentrated in eastern Ohio. By early June the strike idled more than 28,000 Canton, Massillon, Warren, and Youngstown steelworkers in the first major steel strike since 1919.
Despite the intervention of Governor William Davey and the federal Steel Mediation Board, no negotiated settlement emerged and violence escalated at many Little Steel towns. In Massillon, police, special deputies, and Republic Steel security forces confronted strikers in front of SWOC headquarters with tear gas and gunfire on the evening of July 11. Three strikers were killed and five wounded. Unfavorable publicity and the National Guard ended the strike by mid-July. Despite this setback, SWOC charged Little Steel with unfair labor practices before the new National Labor Relations Board and eventually won signed
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Erected 2004 by The Ohio Bicentennial commission, Greater Stark County AFL-CIO Council, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 19-76.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Labor Unions. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1912.
Location. 40° 47.78′ N, 81° 31.282′ W. Marker is in Massillon, Ohio, in Stark County. It can be reached from the intersection of 1st Street SE and Diamond Court SE, on the right when traveling north. Located in southwest corner of James Duncan Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Massillon OH 44646, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Amish Country and in Greater Cleveland. It is also in the American Midwest. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Don Shanklin (a few steps from this marker); The Last Great Strike 1937 (a few steps from this marker); Lillian Gish (1893-1993) · Dorothy Gish (1898-1968) (a few steps from this marker); Young People's Christian Association (within shouting distance of this marker); This Cannon
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, February 8, 2015
2. The Little Steel Strike of 1937 Marker Reverse
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, February 8, 2015
3. The Little Steel Strike of 1937 Marker
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, February 8, 2015
4. The Little Steel Strike of 1937 Marker Reverse
Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,995 times since then and 206 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 8, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
