August 27, ‘U.S. Steel Won’t Deal with Unions For ‘Open Shop”
Brooklyn Today
Good morning, Brooklyn. Today is the 239th day of the year.
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ON THIS DAY in 1919, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle published an article titled “U.S. Steel Won’t Deal with Unions For ‘Open Shop.’” The article focused on the chairman of the board of the U.S. Steel corporation declining an interview despite his professed “openness.” The chairman of U.S. Steel at the time, Elbert H. Gary, although expressed opposition against “closed shop,” denied an interview in a letter regarding wages, working conditions and the right of collective bargaining for the unionized members of the iron and steel industry.
“Mr. Gary’s letter supplements his refusal to meet the union committee when it called at his office yesterday afternoon to discuss with him labor matters affecting the steel industry,” the Eagle reported.
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