Coal Wars: Unions, Strikes, and Violence in Depression-Era Central Washington

Strikes are a way of life for central Washington coal miners and their families, but April 3, 1934, is different. This time, people are afraid. Wives and mothers pelt cars with rocks, rotten eggs, and cow pies. They curse and assault anyone who crosses their picket line.

On a normal shift, the striking laborers are at the workplace ten or more hours. They dress, prepare equipment, and travel in the mine shaft--up to an hour each way--on their own time. The miners and their families want safer working conditions, fair wages, and a six-hour workday.

When their national union leaders seem unsympathetic, some miners create a local union and decide to strike. But this time, conflicting union alliances turn residents of Roslyn, Cle Elem, and Ronald against each other, and the violent battle leaves deep scars. A refreshingly balanced yet personal account, Coal Wars captures a dual union movement and depicts the region's melting pot as well as sociopolitical effects of New Deal policies.