L. A. Library photos Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Labor unions had some power back then. Were wages
> so bad that a strike was necessary? I have no
> idea. I do know that strikes are more common when
> a union has power. The ILWU still strikes on
> occasion, even though they get extremely good
> wages and benefits.
>
> [www.nationalww2museum.org]
> 6-railroad-strike
>
> [www.nationalww2museum.org]
> les/styles/wide_medium/public/2021-05/Engineer%20H
> .%20L.%20Gentry%20receiving%20the%20strike%20order
> %20on%20May%2024%2C%201946%2C%20from%20fireman%20J
> ames%20Genisio%20in%20Southern%20Pacific%27s%20Cor
> nfield%20Yard.%20Herald%20Examiner%20Collection.%2
> 0Los%20Angeles%20Public%20Library.%20%281%29%20-%2
> 0Abbie%20Edens.jpg
> "Engineer H. L. Gentry receiving the strike order
> on May 24, 1946, from fireman James Genisio in
> Southern Pacific's Cornfield Yard. Herald Examiner
> Collection/Los Angeles Public Library."

Truman threatened to draft the RR crews into the US Army, so the troops could get home....

Purportedly, this was the basis for the speech he gave a famous speech from the back of the campaign train at Mojave, when running for re-election in 1948. Where the story goes, "given "em hell Harry" supposedly started with the words, "I hear some of you railroad men don't like me....." And then, proceeded to lecture them, telling them he'd do it again to get the troops home, and then, on what would happen to the Railway Labor Act and Railroad Retirement Act, if his oppoenent won.....