Strike Timeline

On February 6, 1919 more than 65,000 union workers walked off their jobs. They were joined by non-union workers, Japanese American labor unions, and non-AF of L unions like the Industrial Workers of the World. Shipyard workers refused to work until their needs were met and other workers in Seattle joined in a solidarity strike.

By the second day, it became increasingly apparent that the strike was to remain peaceful and orderly. This directly contradicted Mayor Ole Hanson and the mainstream press who prepared Seattle citizens for pandemonium—a number of upper-class Seattleites left town and residents flooded grocery stores for provisions in the days preceding the strike.

By day three, momentum felt by the strikers began to wane, with some workers, such as the streetcar operators, returning to work that weekend. The Seattle Union Record also resumed publication on Saturday, realizing a need for pro-labor coverage to counter the anti-strike narrative espoused by the mainstream press.

The General Strike Committee convened a meeting to discuss ending the strike on Saturday afternoon (February 8) that lasted well into the wee hours of Sunday morning and concluded with a unanimous vote to continue the strike.

Monday morning (February 10) dawned, the General Strike Committee met, and many committee members were found to be missing. The barbers, stereotypers, car drivers, bill posters, ice wagon drivers, milk drivers, and newsboys had all returned to work.