Sunday, July 2, 2017

Grand Rapids, Michigan: 1911 Furniture Strike Statue

The 1911 strike by furniture workers must have been a big deal, based on the statue about it located downtown in Grand Rapids.

Sure enough, it was.

About 6,000 workers in the industry had walked out in April of that year, causing problems in the industry. Management took some harsh steps in response. Thus in May, a riot broke out. Windows were smashed and people were hurt, but there were no fatalities.

The workers stayed off the job for about four months, but finally won some concessions. It was quite an event, and so the statue went up years later. Some unions sponsored its construction.

The tribute to the workers is located near the Ford Museum on Front Ave.

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