Streetcar operators' strike
A violent labor strike was staged in Pensacola from April 5–May 13, 1908 by streetcar operators employed by the Pensacola Electric Company. The striking workers attempted to organise a local chapter of the Amalgamated Association of Street Electric Railway Employees of America (now the Amalgamated Transit Union). The strike resulted in several deaths and caused the Governor of Florida to order the State militia into Pensacola.
On the evening of April 5, streetcar operators working for the Pensacola Electric Company, the operator of Pensacola's electric streetcar transit system, went on strike. According to the union, the mayor was notified of the impending strike at 6:40 pm, and was furthermore asked to notify the company, although he was unable to do so until the following day. The union officially declared the strike at 7:10 pm. Shortly thereafter, under the direction of G. C. McCain, the president of the union's local chapter, the striking motormen and conductors started bringing streetcars into the the barn, disrupting service across all lines except the Bay Shore line. The cars on the Bay Shore line were operated by agents of the company and continued to run until midnight. The next day, April 6, McCain and the striking workers stopped and boarded a Bay Shore car returning to Pensacola from Barrancas. The company agents operating the car surrended control to the strikers without violence. The strikers then returned the car back to Pensacola, let off its passengers, and took the car into the barn.
On April 12, Florida Governor Napoleon B. Broward ordered the State militia into Pensacola to protect strikebreakers and restore order. On April 14, under protection of the militia, the city's streetcars were run for the first time in nine days. The city remained calm for about one week until April 21, when a mob attacked a streetcar and fatally wounded the conductor, a G. Hoffman. Stenographer W. L. Wittich, Jr. was also fired upon while boarding a streetcar.
Images
Strikers and citizens pose with car seized by strikers on April 6
State militia camping in the median of Palafox Street
State militia outside the Old Escambia County Courthouse
State militia escorting strikebreakers
State militia posing on the steps of the Federal Customs House & Post Office
Mounted state militia patrol during strike
References
- "Troops Sent to Pensacola.; Electric Cars Will Be Started To-day Despite the Strike." New York Times, April 13, 1908.
- "Run Cars with Troops.; Pensacola Line Is Operated for the First Time in Nine Days." New York Times, April 15, 1908.
- "Pensacola Riots Renewed.; Strikers' Mob Attacks Street Car and Fatally Wounds Conductor." New York Times, April 22, 1908.