The Evolution of the Labor Union

In the early and mid-twentieth century, the United States witnessed the birth and evolution of the labor union. Although much has been written about this subject from the standpoint of history, few authors have considered the development of the union from a first-hand perspective. This is what Jack Metzgar attempts to capture in his text Striking Steel. Utilizing his father's first hand accounts of life in the steel mill as well as his own recollections of the actions of the labor union, Metzgar examines what it was like for those working in the mills during the evolution of the labor union. Metzgar focuses not only on the evolution of the labor union, but also on the larger context of what it was like to support the labor union.

The central focus of Metzgar's text is the steel strike of 1959. While the author notes that he has some difficulty remembering the strike firsthand-he notes that he was only 15-years-old when the strike took place, he does remember that the strike lasted for 116 days. Despite the fact that Metzgar does not actively remember the strike, he is able to piece the events leading up to and after the strike together. Metzgar notes that the drive toward the labor union was critical for steel mill employees to receive the shop floor rules that they would need to ensure that they could improve their overall standard of living. Even though the union faced considerable odds, the benefits that could be garnered from the strike were considered necessary to ensure the protection of the workers improve their overall work life.

While the central focus of Metzgar's work is to demonstrate the sacrifices that union members made to ensure the prosperity of future generations, what he elucidates in his text is a broader sentiment of brotherhood, which appears to underscore the strike movement. As reported by Metzgar, members of the steel mill that made the decision to strike in 1959 were not just undertaking the strike in an effort to improve their own station in life; rather these individuals truly believed that their efforts would improve life for future generations. As such, the spirit of camaraderie that is illustrated in Metzgar's work provides a clear sense of why the strike of 1959 was so successful. In short, the union members stuck together in an effort to ensure that they were able to acquire the basic changes needed to improve working conditions.

In addition to illuminating the camaraderie that was essential to the success of the strike, Metzgar also demonstrates what life was like in the mills before the strike. According to Metzgar, in the years of the depression, foremen were in charge of who was granted the right to work. Metzgar notes that of the 300 days in which his father showed up for work he only worked 52. The competition for work was such that employees could not force labor issues and create an environment for change. The foreman and the steel companies had the power to control the activities and actions of the employees. Metzgar reports that the hold of steel companies was so restrictive that most employees were reluctant to join a union for fear that they would be black-listed. The black list was widely used by organizations to target agitators. Once an individual's name was placed on a black list, he would not be able to secure employment with any organization.

Although the years of the depression impeded the growth of the union, in the post-World War II era, working conditions had changed notably for many employees. Metzgar notes that in the post-War years, more employees were inclined to join the union. As such, when the decision was made to strike in 1959, individual employees had the support that the needed to overcome the power of the organization. As described by Metzgar, the power of the union to force the organization to capitulate to its demands was quite extraordinary. What Metzgar elucidates is a clear change from the depression to the post-War era. As labor gained the upper hand, they were able to more effectively control their destiny.

Analysis

While Metzgar spends most of his text examining the overall context of the 1959 steel workers strike, he does note in his introduction that society has forgotten about the sacrifices that were made during this time. According to Metzgar, there are no cultural supports left in place to remember the sacrifices that were made by the steel workers in 1959. This is what appears to bother Metzgar the most. Metzgar even reprimands his own father for forgetting the importance of the strike. In this context, the true message of Metzgar's text is brought to life: Metzgar does not want society to forget the sacrifices made by the steel workers during the 1959 strike. Because of the efforts of these individuals, labor has developed in favor of the working class individual. While Metzgar notes that he has ascended to the ranks of the professional middle class, he notes that because of the efforts of his father and others, those who are currently part of the working middle class enjoy considerable comfort and privilege.

When placed in this perspective, it becomes evident that Metzgar's book is a testament to the actions taken by his father and his coworkers to improve their lives and the lives of future generations. At a time when the union is looked down upon as a means for economic development and growth, Metzgar forces the reader to look to the past such that they can understand what has been made possible through the proliferation of unions. Through Metzgar's work, the reader can understand the importance of the union in creating a better life for working class families. Thus, in the end, Metzgar's work becomes a tribute to his father and all of his coworkers. Because of the efforts of these men, Metzgar has been able to reap the benefits of a more profitable and secure life. Metzgar wants both the reader and society as a whole to remember these sacrifices at a time when unionization is begin pushed out as an unnecessary evil. Given the good that has come out of this evil, Metzgar's analysis of the union is quite inspiring.

Reference

Metzger, J. (2000). Striking Steel: Critical Perspectives on the Past. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press.