<p>The Seattle General Strike was a work stoppage by more than 65,000 workers in Seattle from February 6-11, 1919. The strike began in shipyards when workers were refused pay increases after two years of World War I wage controls. Most of the city's 110 local unions, including members of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), joined the walkout in solidarity with the shipyard workers. Although the strike was non-violent and union members continued to meet the city's basic and emergency needs, government officials, the press, and much of the public viewed the strike as a radical attempt to subvert U. S. institutions.
This image looks north along Seventh Avenue, with Pike Street running left to right through the center of the frame. The Hotel Waldorf, whose sign is visible at the top right of the frame, was located on the northeast corner of Seventh Avenue and Pike Street. Men crowd the sidewalks and appear to be blocking traffic, lined up across Seventh Avenue, during the General Strike. </p>
<p>Handwritten on sleeve: Strike Photo 2-7-19

Caption information source: <a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="http://depts.washington.edu/labhist/strike/index.shtml">http://depts.washington.edu/labhist/strike/index.shtml</a></p>
<ul><li>Subjects (LCTGM): Commercial streets--Washington (State)--Seattle; General Strike, Seattle, Wash., 1919; Strikes--Washington (State)--Seattle</li></ul><hr>
The area we are seeing here is (as of 2022) roughly the lidded street in front of the Washington State Convention Center; the main Convention Center building would be on the left. The lidded area would end where the Hotel Waldorf can be seen here.
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Webster &amp; Stevens</div>
Taken on 7 February 1919
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/digital/collection/imlsmohai/search">Museum of History and Industry</a>