Pensacola streetcar strike of 1908

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Pensacola streetcar strike
Troops descended upon Pensacola to enforce Martial Law during the 1908 streetcar strike.jpg
More than 500 State troops descended upon Pensacola to enforce Martial Law during the strike.
DateApril 5 – May 13, 1908
Location
Methods Striking
Parties
Streetcar workers
Pensacola Electric Co.
Florida National Guard
Casualties
Death(s)1

A strike of streetcar operators took place in Pensacola, Florida from April 5 to May 13, 1908. It was staged by employees of the Pensacola Electric Company over a company rule requiring workers whom the company had suspended for whatever reason to report to the company's car barn thrice daily for a roll call. During the 39-day strike, open violence erupted in Pensacola's streets, resulting in at least one death, after which martial law was declared and the state militia was sent to provide security to the company strikebreakers. [1] [2]

Streetcar traveling past state militia encampments, Pensacola streetcar strike 1908.jpg
Streetcar travels past State militia encampments in the Palafox Street median.
Strikebreakers, Pensacola Electric Company's streetcar barn.png
Strikebreakers pose at the Pensacola Electric Company's streetcar barn.

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References

  1. "A century ago, martial law shuttered Pensacola as streetcars were bombed, militia took over city". The Pulse. 2017-04-07. Retrieved 2018-11-25.
  2. Flynt, Wayne (1965). "Pensacola Labor Problems and Political Radicalism, 1908". The Florida Historical Quarterly. 43 (4): 315–332. ISSN   0015-4113. JSTOR   30140132.