Mine Entrance
In retaliation for the Ludlow Massacre, The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) started passing out guns and ammo to residents of the other tent colonies. That war lasted 10 days! 10 days of miners shooting it out in the streets with the militia. The federal government sent troops in to disarm both sides. The shooting ended, but the strike raged on until December of 1914. That’s when the union ran out of money and the strike was ended.
What were the demands that these men, women and children were risking their lives and dying for?
They wanted their union, the UMWA to be recognized as a legitimate union.
They wanted a shorter work day.
An increase in pay.
Pay in money instead of “scrip”.
Pay for everyone doing all jobs, where previously only those who dug the coal were “paid”.
They also wanted their own representative to weigh the coal because they did not trust the “company” man.
They wanted to live where they chose.
They wanted to see doctors of their own choosing.
In short, they wanted to be treated fairly.
Although the strike was considered to be a loss for the union, it drew nationwide attention not only to the Colorado miners, but miners, and factory workers across the country. John D. Rockefeller Jr. was held up to public scorn and ridicule in the press, which eventually lead to better working conditions for the coal miners and steel mill workers in Pueblo and southern Colorado. It took several years for the government to draft and pass the new national labor laws, but they eventually got it done, and working conditions improved throughout the nation. The labor laws and child labor laws we have today are thanks in large part to this gruesome time in Colorado’s history.
As we celebrate Easter this Sunday, let’s also take a moment to remember the brave men, women and children who fought and died in the Ludlow Massacre and the Southern Colorado Coalfield War.
Kathy Williams, Chief Editor for Deetslist
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