Take It Easy, But Take It

"MINNEAPOLIS IS PLACED UNDER MARTIAL LAW BECAUSE OF STRIKE Photo shows members of the Minnesota National Guard on duty at street corner near armory where they are making their headquarters while in city, Governor Floyd Olson declared martial law throughout Minneapolis and Hennepin County, to be started at noon, July 26, with Adj. General Ellard A. Walsh in charge. because of claim that civil authorities were not able to cope with rioting in connection with truck drivers strike. Credit Line: Acme 7/26/34"

In 1937, members of the Sawmill & Timber Workers Union disaffiliated with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America and formed the International Woodworkers of America. They chose to affiliate with the emerging Committee of Industrial Organizations. The logging industry was changing and logging trucks were beginning to be the new norm. Based on the craft structure of AFL unions, the Teamsters and AFL leadership asserted that the Teamsters should have these driving jobs. The "Timber Worker" the official newspaper of the Sawmill & Timber Workers disagreed. The CIO, which advocated industrial unionism was more in line with these lumber workers thinking. Many of them were ex-wobblies after all. Dave Beck was a ruthless Teamster boss. He was an arch nemesis of the ILWU's Harry Bridges and preached top down business unionism. At this point in his life, Beck was the West Coast organizer for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The CIO ...