National Guard members were called out to keep the peace in Tacoma at the beginning of a bloody clash with 500 lumber mill strikers and sympathizers that started around 4p.m. on July 12, 1935 at the intersection of 11th & A, the entrance to the 11th Street Bridge. Guardsmen were stationed at 11th & A to protect strikebreakers as they crossed the 11th Street Bridge on their way home from work at the mills on the Tideflats. They also prevented the labor demonstrators from crossing the bridge to the Tideflats. The confrontation concluded 4 1/2 hours later when the guard had pushed the angry crowd up the hill on 11th to Yakima where it dispersed. The lumber and sawmill workers strike began on May 6, 1935 and was settled early in August of the same year with victory for the workers. The National Guard was deployed to Tacoma on June 23, 1935 to preserve the peace and was involved in many skirmishes. (TDL 7/13/1935, pg. 1)

Labor unions--Tacoma; Lumber & Sawmill Workers Local 2633 (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Strikes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Demonstrations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington National Guard (Tacoma);

Members of the 161st Infantry of the Washington National Guard stand head to head with striking timber and sawmill workers waving the American flag and demonstrating opposition to the presence of the Guard. The Guard had been called out three weeks prior to protect strikebreakers as they crossed the bridges to the Tideflats to work. This confrontation erupted into a full scale battle with Guards using tear gas, nausea bombs, night sticks and bayonets to control the crowd. TPL-425 (TDL 7/13/1935, pg 1)

Labor unions--Tacoma; Lumber & Sawmill Workers Local 2633 (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Strikes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Demonstrations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington National Guard, 161st Infantry (Wash.);

Members of the Washington National Guard used tear gas freely in an attempt to disperse the crowd of lumber mill strikers and their supporters during this July 12, 1935 melee near the intersection of 11th and A Streets. The Guard had arrived in Tacoma to protect strikebreakers attempting to open the mills on the Tideflats. The strike was particularly violent with those workers that opposed the strike suffering bombed cars and homes. TPL-426 (TDL 7/13/1935, pg 1)

Labor unions--Tacoma; Lumber & Sawmill Workers Local 2633 (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Strikes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Demonstrations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington National Guard, 161st Infantry (Wash.);

Tacoma Mailer's Union #54, 15th Annual Banquet held at "The Firs". Union members and their spouses look up at the camera from long banquet tables. Elaborate decorations hang from the ceiling. The Firs was located two miles south of the Roy "Y" on Mountain Highway in the Loveland area. It was built in 1922 by Irv and Lacy Ball of vertical log construction, and served as an inn, restaurant and cabaret. It catered primarily to banquets and private parties. It was destroyed in 1974 by fire and never rebuilt.

Tacoma Mailer's Union #54 (Tacoma); Banquets--Spanaway--1930-1940; Firs (Spanaway); Labor unions--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Seventeen members, most of them women, of the Cooks, Waiters, Waitresses & Bartenders Local #61 posed for a November 21, 1954, photograph, at union headquarters. The union had purchased the building at 1130 Commerce St. several years ago so that members might have a comfortable place to conduct meetings and enjoy social interaction.

Labor unions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cooks, Waiters, Waitresses & Bartenders Union Local No. 61 (Tacoma); Group portraits;

Four men from the Central Labor Council, two wearing cowboy hats, two wearing top hats, pose in front of the Police Headquarters building. The are dressed to celebrate Washington's Golden Jubilee, July 16-23, 1939.

Central Labor Council (Tacoma); Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma;

The Central Labor Council group models their western wear and Jubilee hats for the Washington State Golden Jubilee, July 16-23, 1939.

Central Labor Council (Tacoma); Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma;

The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Welders and Helpers Union #568 presented a check for $350 to the Elks to be used in their December 1942 Christmas party for needy children. Fred Humbert is pictured emptying a money bag of donations into the big Elks Stocking Fillers cash register outside the Elks Temple, 565 Broadway. Watching him are Elks and union members including Harry J. Lynch, chrm. of the Elks Christmas committee (at front - left) and Erling O. Johnson, Elks secretary-manager (at extreme right.) Other names are listed in the News Tribune article dated 12-22-42. Thanks to the generosity of these union members and other caring Tacomans, 650 children enjoyed a happy Christmas morning filled with fun and gifts. (TNT 12-22-42, p. 7-alt. photograph; TNT 12-26-42, p. 9-article on party)

International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Welders and Helpers Union #568 (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gifts; Cash registers; Lynch, Harry J.;

On September 28, 1942, R.A. Boedecker, on ladder, carefully mounts a War Chest poster on a street lamp while Carl Escene offers advice from below. Both men are officers of the Billposters Union, local 49, which is volunteering labor to post the War Chest signs in the business district and outlying shopping areas. The posters are a reminder of the upcoming War Chest fund raising campaign. The War Chest was a wartime branch of the Community Chest. The street light was located at 474 Market Street. (T. Times 9/30/1942, pg. 11)

Labor Unions--Tacoma; Labor leaders--Tacoma; Billposters Union, Local 49 (Tacoma); Boedecker, R.A.; Escene, Carl; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma);

ca. 1943. Labor Directory/Bulletin Board. Signs showing business names and Buy War Bonds, dispatcher window and Conference Room door.

Labor unions--Tacoma; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950;

National President of the Cooks, Waiters, Waitresses and Bartenders Union christening new building. This new building was purchased for $68,500 and will house the new local union headquarters. The new building will have a comfortable lobby, clubroom, union hall and kitchen. The building is expected to be dedicated in December of this year. View of National president and union members outside of new building.

Labor unions--Tacoma; Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; Labor leaders--Tacoma; Cooks, Waiters, Waitresses & Bartenders Union Local No. 61 (Tacoma);

Ladies Auxiliary, International Longshoremen's Association. Approximately 32 women join for a dinner meeting. Several of them wear corsages along with their name tags.

International Longshoremen's Association (Tacoma); Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Al Miller, Howard Grant and Herman Tietje (left to right) were three of the first members of the Stereotypers and Electrotypers Union Local No. 91 in Tacoma, when it was organized forty years ago. These three charter members were honored for their service in the union; twenty five members attended the celebration at the New Yorker Cafe (T. Times,10/6/47, p. 3).

Labor unions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charters--Tacoma; Labor leaders--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stereotypers & Electrotypers Union Local No. 91 (Tacoma); New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Miller, Al; Grant, Howard; Tietje, Herman;

Permanente Metals was an aluminum producing plant, the demand for aluminum and aluminum made products had dramatically increased since the end of World War II. Aluminum products could be found in kitchens, automobiles, airplanes, luggage, homes and many other areas; aluminum offered durability yet was extremely light weight and versatile. View of Permanente Metals employee oiling a machine, photo ordered by United Steel Workers of America.

Laborers--Tacoma; United Steel Workers of America Union Local No. 2626 (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Labor unions--Tacoma; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Permanente Metals had started operations in Tacoma in late October of this year. Permanente Metals employees in plant's pot room, the white powdery substance is alumina, which is discharged into the reduction pots, the molten aluminum is siphoned from the pots into large capacity ladles, photo ordered by United Steel Workers of America.

Laborers--Tacoma; United Steel Workers of America Union Local No. 2626 (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Labor unions--Tacoma; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Cooks and Waiters Union, new officers. Substantial wage increases for employees of restaurants in Tacoma and Pierce County were provided in a new agreement executed August 27, 1946, effective September 1, 1946 - June 1, 1948, between the Pierce County Division of the Washington State Restaurant Men's Association and Local #61 of the Cooks and Waiters Union. (T.Times, 8/28/1946, p.1)

Labor unions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Labor leaders--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cooks, Waiters, Waitresses & Bartenders Union Local No. 61 (Tacoma);

Group of 7 under A.F. of L. banner. Hodcarriers & building laborers.

Labor unions--Tacoma--1950-1960; American Federation of Labor (Tacoma); Group portraits--1950-1960; Building Laborers & Hod Carriers Union Local No. 252 (Tacoma);

In September of 1953, Tacoma's board of business representatives for AFL unions was photographed in front of the doors of the Labor Temple, 1355 Market Street. The labor group, which met every Wednesday for a luncheon gathering, was one of the only organizations of its kind for exchanging information and the promotion of common interests of union workers. The man seated in the front row, third from the left, is Harry S. McIlvaigh, the long time secretary-treasurer of the Tacoma Labor Council for whom McIlvaigh Middle School is named. (T.N.T. 9/4/1953, p. C5- see picture for names & C-3)

Labor unions--Tacoma; Group portraits; Labor Temple (Tacoma);

Asbestos Workers Local #50 were hosts to the Western State Conference banquet held at the Top of the Ocean on February 23, 1952. TPL-745

Asbestos Workers' Union Local No. 50 (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

On July 12, 1935, traffic stopped as the Washington National Guard and striking mill and timber workers met in a bloody battle that began at 11th and A St, and ended with cracked heads and numerous arrests. The problem was made worse by hundreds of curious onlookers. Guardsmen in gas masks used tear and ammonia gas bombs to control the crowd. The gas was largely ineffectual, as the demonstrators picked up the bombs and hurled them back at the guardsmen. The National Guard formed lines shoulder to shoulder and pushed the crowd up the hill to Yakima, where it dispersed. (TDL 7/13/1935, pg 1) TPL-8771

Labor unions--Tacoma; Lumber & Sawmill Workers Local 2633 (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Strikes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Demonstrations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington National Guard (Tacoma);

Lumber mill employees entering the yards at St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. are happy to return to work today after the end of the strike that paralyzed activity for the past 13 weeks. The workers just voted positively on an agreement submitted by 22 Tacoma mill owners. The agreement called for a 50 cent minimum wage, a 40 hour work week, 8 hour day, time and 1/2 for overtime, reemployment of striking employees and recognition of the union. The vote on the agreement was 1391 to 97. (T. Times 8/5/1935, pg. 1)

Labor unions--Tacoma; Lumber & Sawmill Workers Local 2633 (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Strikes--Tacoma--1930-1940; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

A returning lumber mill employee proudly wears his Union button on his hat after the settlement of a strike that lasted 13 weeks. The agreement called for a 50 cent minimum wage, a 40 hour work week, 8 hour day, time and 1/2 for overtime, reemployment of striking employees and recognition of the union. The vote on the agreement was 1391 to 97. (T. Times 8/5/1935, pg. 1)

Labor unions--Tacoma; Lumber & Sawmill Workers Local 2633 (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Strikes--Tacoma--1930-1940; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

ca. ,1925. In 1925, the building at 1221-23 Pacific Ave. housed the 4 L Hall, home to the "Loyal Legion of Loggers & Lumbermen." The National Department Store was located at 1223 Pacific and sold camping and outdoor goods, as well as shoes and furnishings. The store is littered with signs advertising a "going out of business" sale. The address also included 113-23 So. 13th St. This structure, originally built for the National Bank of Commerce, was remodeled in 1922 for the 4-L's, apparently including the removal of several upper floors. The building was later demolished. (WSHS)

Loyal Legion of Loggers & Lumbermen (Tacoma); National Department Store (Tacoma);

June of 1942 saw the grand opening of the Labor Temple Recreation Club. The Tacoma Central Labor Council, representing over 60 A.F.of L. unions, had purchased the old Baker Hotel property on Market Street in 1941 and made it their new home. A guest of the Labor Temple reaches for a piece of cake from a waitress during opening day ceremonies while four others in the booth look on. The notice on the wall near the group indicates that only beer and wine could be served during specific hours; no hard liquor was allowed. The Club rooms were located on the Mezzanine floor and served as recreation rooms and as a restaurant.

Labor Temple Recreation Club (Tacoma); Cakes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Waitresses--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Photographs from the Metal Trades convention for the Labor Advocate. The Metal Trades Council was the negotiating body for all the unions involved in working with metal, such as the shipyards.

Labor unions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Metal Trades Council (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Two men standing outside the C.I.O. Hall (Congress of Industrial Organizations). The hall is in a store front with large glass windows. Both men wear business suits, one holds up a folded newspaper.

Labor unions--Tacoma; C.I.O. (Tacoma);

Interior of new Tacoma Labor Temple, 1355 Market St. View of meeting room taken from podium. American Federation of Labor (AFofL) symbol on back wall. $75,000 in remodeling was needed to turn the Baker Hotel, at 1355 Market St., into the Labor Temple, home of over 60 labor unions. Included were nine meeting rooms, such as this one, seating variously 50- 600 folks.

Labor unions--Tacoma; Labor Temple (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Central Labor Council obtained the Baker Hotel in 1941 for use as their new headquarters. They abandoned their cramped offices at the City Hall annex, where they had been for 17 years, and moved into the new 4 1/2 story cream colored brick structure. They then spent $75,000 remodeling the building to suit their purposes. This remodel included the construction of members-only recreation rooms and restaurant. (TNT 1/7/1943, pg. 1)

Labor unions--Tacoma; Labor Temple (Tacoma);

United Steel Workers union was formed with the help of the United Mine Workers. The Mine Workers felt the Steel Workers needed guidance and helped them organize a committee. View of Permanente Metals employees washing their hands after a hard day at work, photo ordered by United Steel Workers of America.

Laborers--Tacoma; Washstands--Tacoma; United Steel Workers of America Union Local No. 2626 (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Labor unions--Tacoma; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Labor was well represented in the Clean-up Tacoma Campaign in 1948. Twenty members of Painters' Union Local 64 (AFL) gave Tacoma's totem pole at 10th and A Streets a new look April 11 and kicked-off the campaign. The steel scaffolding needed to do the job was donated by Safeway Steel Scaffolding. Max Frolic with 27 of Tacoma's union musicians played during the kick-off ceremonies and painting. Ordered by Burt McMurtrie, Tacoma Times. (T.Times, 4/12/1948, p.1)

Totem poles--Tacoma; Labor unions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Urban beautification--Tacoma--1940-1950; Painting--Tacoma; Scaffolding--Tacoma;