![]() New episodes are released every other Friday. Culminating in the passage of the Taft-Hartley Act in 1947 - vetoed by President Truman, but overridden by Congress - the power of labor unions was permanently limited and the act opened the door to restrictive “right to work” laws. As workers in several industries did win gains as a result of going on strike, the widespread wave of labor strike turned political and public opinion against labor unions. However, the strike wave had unforeseen repercussions. These men, among several other union leaders, helped elevate the demands made by millions of American workers. Lewis, head of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA). Such leaders featured in this episode include Walter Reuther, head of the United Auto Workers (UAW) and John L. Kristen Burton, explores the causes behind the massive strike wave of 1945-1946, including a few of the leaders who sought to secure higher pay and better working conditions for American laborers. This week’s episode, written and hosted by the Museum’s Dr. With the end of the wartime no-strike pledge, workers expressed their frustration through a series of strikes that came to involve over 5 million Americans from the end of 1945 and into 1946. After upholding a no-strike pledge during the war, many workers expected a return to regular hours, pay, and benefits that existed before the start of the war, but industries - including petroleum, coal mining, automobiles, and public utilities - failed to returning working conditions to the expected status quo, in spite of rising profits. Shipments were blocked at TotalEnergies' (TTEF.PA) refineries in France, union and company officials said, but the company said one strike day would not disrupt refinery operations.In the weeks and months after the end of WWII, Americans working in industries across the country began to walk off the job in protest of poor wages and unsafe working conditions. Home-working and other changes in working practices may also blunt their impact.Įven so, the strike halted ferry crossings between Dover and Calais, a major sea route for trade between Britain and the continent.ĮDF and grid operator RTE data showed electricity production was down by roughly 10% of total power supply, prompting France to raise imports. ![]() Some union members have talked of recreating the spirit of 1995, when Jacques Chirac's government requisitioned tourist boats on the river Seine to ferry commuters to work and backed off a pension overhaul after weeks of transport strikes.īut the ability of unions to bring chunks of the euro zone's second-biggest economy to a halt and force governments into a reversal is not what it used to be.Ī 2007 ban on wildcat walkouts and a requirement on strikers to guarantee minimum public services have limited unions' ability to wear down governments' reform ambitions. and we have to endure it," said real estate worker Virginie Pinto, as she struggled to find a metro to go to work. "It's always the same (people) who are on strike. Restaurant worker Beverly Gahinet, who missed work because her train was cancelled, said she agreed with the strike even if she was not taking part. In the busy Gare du Nord station, people rushed to catch the few trains still operating while employees in yellow vests were assisting frazzled commuters. ![]() High speed intercity and local Paris commuter train services were severely disrupted, the SNCF rail operator said. Train drivers, teachers and refinery workers were among those who walked off their jobs, as well as half the workforce at state-run nuclear power producer EDF. ![]() "Let's continue to debate and convince," Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne wrote on Twitter. The pension reform still needs to go through parliament, where Macron has lost his absolute majority but is hoping to get it passed with the support of conservatives. ![]()
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