McLean County Labor History

Excerpted from "Fiery Struggle" by Michael G. Matejka, 2001, published by the Illinois Labor History Society

Introduction

In 1961 GE workers represented by the IUE struck, but Bloomington workers continued to work and negotiated past their contract's expiration. Lodge 1000 tried unsuccessfully to get a union shop agreement with the national firm, but did win wage increases.

During World War II local unions took a no-strike pledge, which was honored for the war's duration. Union construction trades donated building a canteen at the C&A depot, which served coffee and donuts to military personnel on passing trains.

The 1930s Depression impacted Bloomington like the rest of the nation, leading to mass lay-offs, unemployment and foreclosures. With little commerce, railroad traffic dwindled and many at the C&A Shops and other businesses were laid off.

Despite its post-war glow, the labor movement's optimism soon soured after the war. The Chicago Federation of Labor's ambitious plans to organize packinghouse and steel workers were defeated. The "American Plan" was formulated by business, promoting a non-union workplace.

Although unsuccessful at the polls, Bloomington labor could still point to other accomplishments. In 1917, after an almost 20 years of effort, streetcar workers successfully formed Local 752 of the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Workers.