The Boston Police Strike of 1919 marked a significant moment in American labor history, particularly concerning public safety employees. Over a thousand police officers in Massachusetts went on strike, primarily seeking higher wages. This event not only led to a dramatic confrontation between the striking officers and state authorities but also had lasting repercussions for police unionization across the United States. The actions taken by Governor
Calvin Coolidge during this period would elevate his political career and set a precedent against organized labor within police departments.
The Genesis of the Strike: Demands for Better Conditions
In 1919, police officers in Boston were dissatisfied with their stagnant wages and poor working conditions. This discontent culminated in a decision by over a thousand officers to go on strike on September 9, 1919. The immediate trigger for the strike was Police Commissioner Edwin Upton Curtis's refusal to permit the creation of a police union. This refusal signaled a dramatic shift in traditional labor relations and the views of the police themselves, who felt their grievances were not being addressed.
The officers' demands for more money were central to their decision to strike. They believed that their pay had not kept pace with the economic realities of the time, and their working conditions were inadequate. The formation of a union was seen as a crucial step to collectively bargain for these improvements. However, the commissioner's stance against unionization set the stage for a direct conflict, leading to the mass walkout that would plunge the city into chaos.
Governor Coolidge's Decisive Intervention
As over three-fourths of the Boston Police Department ceased enforcing public peace, the city quickly descended into riots and public disorder. This breakdown of law and order prompted Governor Calvin Coolidge to intervene. Coolidge famously declared that it was wrong to "strike against the public safety," a statement that underscored the unique nature of police work and its essential role in maintaining societal order.
Coolidge's response was swift and uncompromising. He fired all the police officers who had gone on strike. To restore order, he brought in the state National Guard. The strike was effectively broken when Coolidge hired replacement police officers, many of whom were returning servicemen from World War I. These new officers were given the same bonuses that the striking policemen had initially asked for, and the former officers were permanently refused re-entry into the department.
Long-Term Impact on Police Unionization and Coolidge's Career
The Boston Police Strike had profound and lasting consequences. The permanent replacement of the striking officers and the firm stance taken by Governor Coolidge set a significant precedent against police unionization throughout the country. This event was widely seen as a victory for authorities who opposed organized labor within public safety sectors, influencing labor relations for decades to come.
Ironically, the new officers hired in the wake of the strike received higher salaries, more vacation days, and city-provided uniforms – precisely the demands the original strikers had been requesting. This outcome highlighted the underlying issues that had led to the strike, even as the strike itself was decisively crushed. Furthermore, Coolidge's decisive handling of the strike garnered him national attention and popularity, playing a crucial role in his political ascent. This event made him popular enough to become Vice President of the United States and subsequently President of the United States after the death of President Harding, solidifying his legacy as a leader who prioritized public order above all else.
