Minneapolis City Council resolution honoring 75th anniversary of 1934 Teamsters strike

MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
REGULAR MEETING OF
JULY 17, 2009
Glidden moved to amend the agenda to include a resolution honoring the 1934 Teamsters Strike and “One Day in July” events. Seconded.
Adopted upon a voice vote.
Absent - Remington, Samuels.

Resolution 2009R-333, honoring the 1934 Teamsters Strike and “One Day in July” events, was adopted 7/17/2009 by the City Council. A complete copy of this resolution is available for public inspection in the office of the City Clerk.

The following is the complete text of the unpublished summarized resolution.

RESOLUTION 2009R-333
By Gordon, Glidden, Ostrow, Hofstede, Johnson, Samuels, Lilligren, Goodman, Schiff,
Remington, Benson, Colvin Roy and Hodges
Honoring the 1934 Teamsters Strike and “One Day in July” events.

Whereas, seventy-five years ago this summer, in grim economic times, a strike by Teamsters Local 574 shut down all truck traffic in Minneapolis; and Whereas, the business community’s Citizens Alliance, backed by Minneapolis police and its own forces, used violence to try to break the strike;

and Whereas, on Friday, July 20th, Minneapolis police opened fire on unarmed pickets, wounding sixtyseven and killing two, John Belor and Henry Ness;

and Whereas, on August 21, 1934, the head of the Citizens Alliance acceded to the union’s major demands, signaling the defeat of employer resistance to unionization in Minneapolis;

and Whereas, the 1934 strikes helped establish the industrial form of union organization through the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and set the stage for the organization of over-the-road drivers throughout an 11-state area, transforming the Teamsters into a million-plus member union;

and Whereas, the 1934 Minneapolis strike, together with workers’ struggles in other cities that year, helped prod Congress to pass the National Labor Relations Act in 1935, increasing union organizing
nationwide and helping millions of workers attain a better life;

and Whereas, the strikes of 1934 played an important role in sparking the “Second New Deal,” which included lasting reforms such as Social Security;

and Whereas, the City of Minneapolis has transcended its history of suppressing workers rights to become a strong and steadfast supporter of labor unions;

and Whereas, the Hennepin County Library and Labor Review newspaper are sponsoring two special events to commemorate this anniversary, a panel discussion at the Minneapolis Central Library and a Walking Tour starting at the library and including sites in the former Market District, now known as the Warehouse District;

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by The City Council of The City of Minneapolis:

That the City of Minneapolis honors the workers who fought for fair wages and the right to unionize in 1934, especially those who died on the 20th of July.

Be it Further Resolved that the City of Minneapolis recognizes community events planned to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the 1934 Teamsters strike, including the July 23rd film and panel discussion, the July 25th “street festival for the working class,” the July 26th picnic and the August 6th walking tour.

Adopted 7/17/2009.
Absent - Remington.

back to top