1938 New York City truckers strike

1938 New York City truckers' strike
DateSeptember 15, 1938 (1938-09-15) – October 2, 1938 (1938-10-02)
Location
United States
Caused byContract expiration
Goals
  • 40 Hr. Week
  • No reduction in weekly pay
Resulted inUnion Victory:
  • Reduction to 44-hour week
  • All previous benefits & protections
Parties

Teamsters (IBT) Union

Initial:
    • NYC Teamsters
      • Local 807
      • Local 282
      • Local 816
Later (Sept 26):
    • Teamsters' Joint Council No. 18 of New Jersey
      • Local 560
      • Local 641
      • Local 617
      • Local 136
      • Local 478
      • Local 469
    • Motor & Bus Terminal Checker Platform & Office Workers
      • Local 21
      • Local 512
Allies:
NYC Government:
Corporate groups:
  • Highway Transport Association
    Merchant Truckmen's Bureau
    Merchant Associations of NY
    Publishers Association Associated Express and Truck Owners of New Jersey
Number
30,000–35,000 Strikers
Previous contract: 47 hour week, $56.50 a week

The New York City truckers' strike started on September 15, 1938, as an unsanctioned strike by some of NYC's Teamsters members, with union leadership initially opposing it. It was caused by a contract expiration, demanding lower hours at the same weekly pay and by its end somewhere between 30,000 and 35,000 strikers were directly involved.

On September 25, it was officially sanctioned by a union vote at the Mecca Temple by union Locals 807, 282, and 816. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it was one of the largest US strikes of 1938.

The strike ended in October as a partial union victory, they won lower hours at the same weekly pay & benefits, but it was not lowered to the demanded maximum 40-hour week but instead to a maximum 44-hour week limit.

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