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IWW Chronology (1921 - 1931)

Originally Titled, 95 Years of Revolutionary Industrial Unionism, by Michael Hargis - featured in Anarcho Syndicalist Review, #27 and #28.

1921

  • Congress of Red Trade Union International attended by delegates from IWW and Canadian OBU. Their reports of political domination by Communists convinces IWW not to affiliate.
  • 46 IWWs out on bail on the espionage convictions start prison terms. Bill Haywood and 8 others jump bail and flee to Russia.
  • IWW hall raided in Tampico, Mexico. General strike forces government to allow it to reopen.
  • Philadelphia MTW branch reinstated.

1922

  • Joint MTW and ILA strike in Portland, OR, against Fink Hall, sold out by ILA.
  • Construction strike on Great Northern Railroad.
  • Strike on power projects in Oregon and Washington.
  • Metal Mine strikes in Bingham Canyon and Butte.
  • Oil Workers Industrial Union drive in Southwest.
  • MTW strike in Portland, OR.
  • ILA-hired thugs attempt to drive MTW out of Hoboken, NJ.
  • Railroad shopmen's strike supported by IWW Railroad Workers Industrial Union.
  • MTW in Philadelphia strike against blacklist and for 44-hour week.
  • Construction strike in Hetch-Hetchy project near San Francisco and on Edison Power irrigation project near Fresno, CA.

1923

  • Two strikes against Warren Construction Co. out of Fresno.
  • Police try to shut down IWW hall in Mobile, AL but free speech fight prevails.
  • Strikes to free class war prisoners conducted by IWW in San Pedro, Aberdeen, New York City, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Mobile and Galveston, and by Lumber and Construction Unions in Washington and Oregon.
  • San Pedro free speech fight

1924

  • Emergency Program / Four-Trey Split - IWW splits: Emergency Program-IWW sets up headquarters in Portland, Oregon.
  • Thugs raid IWW hall in San Pedro, destroy hall and scald children.

1925

  • Philadelphia MTW goes over to ILA due to disillusionment over 1924 split and perceived interference from General Administration.
  • IWW coal miners strike in Alberta against UMWA check-off.

1927

  • Sacco & Vanzetti Murdered - IWW strikes for Sacco and Vanzetti in Colorado. Sacco and Vanzetti executed in Boston.
  • Columbine Massacre - Colorado coal strike leads to Columbine Massacre.

1928

  • Police raid IWW hall in Walsenburg, CO, two Wobblies killed.

1929

  • IWW drive among coal miners in Illinois gains sizable two-card membership in UMWA.
  • Strike against U.S. Gypsum Company near Oakfield, NY.
  • MTW branch established in Stettin, Germany.
  • The Great Depression Begins - Stock market crashes, beginning of Great Depression.

1930

  • MTW rallies 1700 crew members of the Leviathan.
  • Harlan County Coal Strike - IWW comes to defense of coal miners in Harlan County, KY charged with murder for defending picket lines during strike.

1931

  • IWW-EP dissolves.
  • IWW begins organization of unemployed with issue of leaflet; "Bread Lines of Picket Lines" and formation of Unemployed Unions in New York, Chicago and Portland, OR.
  • Strike at Boulder Dam construction sites.
  • Canadian Administration established.