During World War II, workers and unions pledged not to strike and as a result, they experienced stagnant wages and benefits during the four years of the war. The end of the war saw an incoming surge of some 12 million veterans seeking jobs. Economists were worried that the economy could not absorb all these veterans, fearing another depression.

Inflation meant that the workers’ salaries had less spending power. Once the war was over and the no-strike pledge ended, mass strikes ensued.

Known as the U.S. strike wave of 1945-1946, nearly 5,000 different strikes affected 4.6 million workers, 10% of the employed population.

On Feb. 8, 1946, nearly 3,000 iron miners on the Marquette Iron Range walked off their jobs. It was “the first all out strike of all production employees of all iron ore properties in the Lake Superior Region since 1895.” (1946 Annual Report of the Mining Superintendent, Cleveland Cliffs Iron Mining Company)

Striking workers with signs are seen. (Photo courtesy of the Marquette Regional History Center)

The strike divided the community, with clashes between strikers and strikebreakers. Many in the community accused the striking iron miners of being communist sympathizers, a common characterization of the labor movement at the beginning of the Cold War.

Anecdotal accounts tell of fist fights, interrogations and court cases. In one case, a strikebreaker received only half a haircut before being kicked out of the barber shop.

The most significant incident occurred at the home of Reuben Koski in west Ishpeming, which was used as a gathering place for strikebreakers, who then drove to the Mather Mine together in a truck owned by Adolph Honkala. On May 9, 30-40 cars carrying strikers followed the truck back to the Koski home.

While most of the strikers were merely jeering and booing at the strikebreakers, a few decided to overturn the truck. When they began rocking it, Honkala fired four shots from the kitchen, hitting Peter Russo in the ankle.

Russo’s injuries were described as superficial, but Honkala was charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm, less than murder and carrying a concealed weapon.

After 104 days, the strike finally ended on May 22 when the companies capitulated to the union’s demands for recognition, dues write-off and 18.5 cent per hour more in wages (approx. $2.73 today).

The strike was the only successful iron mining strike in the early 20th century.