From The Labor History Archives -In The 80^th Anniversary Year Of The Great San Francisco, Minneapolis And Toledo General Strikes- Lessons In The History Of Class Struggle 

From The Archives Of The Socialist Workers Party (America)- Some Lessons of the Toledo Strike

Frank Jackman comment:

Marxism, no less than other political traditions, and perhaps more than most, places great emphasis on roots, the building blocks of current society and its political organizations. Nowhere is the notion of roots more prevalent in the Marxist movement that in the tracing of organizational and political links back to the founders, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, the Communist Manifesto, and the Communist League. A recent example of that linkage in this space was when I argued in this space that, for those who stand in the Trotskyist tradition, one must examine closely the fate of Marx’s First International, the generic socialist Second International, Lenin and Trotsky’s Bolshevik Revolution-inspired Communist International, and Trotsky’s revolutionary successor, the Fourth International before one looks elsewhere for a centralized international working class organization that codifies the principle –“workers of the world unite.”

On the national terrain in the Trotskyist movement, and here I am speaking of America where the Marxist roots are much more attenuated than elsewhere, we look to Daniel DeLeon’s Socialist Labor League, Deb’s Socialist Party( mainly its left-wing, not its socialism for dentists wing), the Wobblies (IWW, Industrial Workers Of The World), the early Bolshevik-influenced Communist Party and the various formations that made up the organization under review, the James P. Cannon-led Socialist Workers Party, the section that Leon Trotsky’s relied on most while he was alive. Beyond that there are several directions to go in but these are the bedrock of revolutionary Marxist continuity, at least through the 1960s. If I am asked, and I have been, this is the material that I suggest young militants should start of studying to learn about our common political forbears. And that premise underlines the point of the entries that will posted under this headline in further exploration of the early days, “the dog days” of the Socialist Workers Party.

Note: I can just now almost hear some very nice and proper socialists (descendants of those socialism for dentist-types) just now, screaming in the night, yelling what about Max Shachtman (and, I presume, his henchman, Albert Glotzer, as well) and his various organizational formations starting with the Workers party when he split from the Socialist Workers Party in 1940? Well, what about old Max and his “third camp” tradition? I said the Trotskyist tradition not the State Department socialist tradition. If you want to trace Marxist continuity that way, go to it. That, in any case, is not my sense of continuity, although old Max knew how to “speak” Marxism early in his career under Jim Cannon’s prodding. Moreover at the name Max Shachtman I can hear some moaning, some serious moaning about blackguards and turncoats, from the revolutionary pantheon by Messrs. Marx, Engels, Lenin and Trotsky. I rest my case.

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THE AUTO-LITE STRIKE OF 1934


The Electric Auto-Lite factory in Toledo, Ohio became a symbol in 1934, a release of workers' pent up exasperation, frustration and anger in attaining the right to be recognized and bargain as a union. Workers lived with fear and uncertainty as a few acted upon such beliefs and began holding basement meetings for those interested in joining the union. Their secretive meetings grew to open meetings of hundreds. Eventually the workers persistence paid off and joining with several other companies formed Local 18384. Although, management acknowledged Local 18384, the company did not recognize the Local as a bargaining agent for the workers.

The actual strike of 1934 included not just Electric Auto-Lite but Spicer, Bingham & Logan Gear. Support by strikers from these other companies helped the strikers sustain their effort. The company continued to employ scabs, replacing those that joined the picket line. Picket lines rallied the strikers on; spirits were high, solidarity strong. The new hires began to experience guilt and fear in crossing the lines.

Management went to court, acquiring an injunction that limited the pickets to 25 workers. Aroused, union members agreed to break the injunction, swarming the lines with large numbers. Arrests continued but the city & county were overwhelmed with the number of strikers arrested and they released them almost as soon as they were booked.

Crowds of up to 6,000 rallied in front of Auto-Lite to hear speakers from the American Workers Party and the union leaders. The Sheriff's department attempted to control the crowd and was loaded with tear gas and arms, posted on top of buildings and in front of the plant. Someone tossed a steel bracket from a rooftop, hitting a female picketer and the crowd surged forward. Tear gas was fired into the crowd. News spread and created larger crowds. A full battle between the strikers and Ohio National Guard escalated. Hundreds of picketers and onlookers were injured, with two fatalities.

The loyalty among workers at Auto-Lite was more powerful than a sense of obligation to company managers. The trust and faith of co-workers had spread throughout the plant and the organizing succeeded. The reinstatement of workers after the February strike provided the encouragement and strengthened personal bonds, helping bring the workers together. On June 4, the union ratified their agreement and were recognized Local18384 as the legitimate bargaining agent. In 1935 local 18384 evolved into Local 12.

The Auto-Lite Plant closed in 1962. But the closing of the doors did not shut out the memories of tragedy and triumph of 1934.  The site has become a Toledo City Park, named "Union Memorial Park." Attached is an opportunity for YOU to memorialize and honor the memory of relatives, friends, a business or organization, union members or non and/or acquaintances of Auto-Lite by purchasing a paver/brick to be placed at the site, 1101 Champlain Street.  A park board has been appointed by Mayor Ford to oversee the future of the park. Plans are being made to hold a dedication of bricks and pavers, along with a presentation of a historical marker in spring of 2005.