Clothing Workers (Keller-Heumann-Thompson)

Category: Labor Struggles

In June, 1933, during an intensive organizing drive, the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America set up a picket line around all six of the Keller-Heumann-Thompson Clothing Manufacturing shops. The main shop was here on Clinton Avenue. When the police were called in they used tear gas and clubs against the picketers. Abe Chatman, Manager of the Rochester Joint Board, ACWA, telegraphed Frances Perkins, U.S. Secretary of Labor, for assistance; she secured from the War Department 500 gas masks for the picketers. This was greatly disturbing to employers everywhere, for the government generally assisted them, not picketers! The company eventually agreed to recognize the union and granted the 40-hour week.