Sam Pollock (labor leader)
Encyclopedia
Samuel "Sam" Pollock was an American
labor union
activist and leader. He helped lead two important strikes in 1934, the Auto-Lite Strike
and the Hardin County onion pickers strike
, before becoming district president of the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America
.
, in 1909 to Isadore and Sonia (Gordon) Pollock. In 1914, the Pollocks moved to Toledo
. Pollock attended public school in Toledo, and graduated in 1926. He attended both the University of Toledo
and Bowling Green State University
, but did not graduate from either institution. Pollock's daughter, Frances Pollock Packard, died in 1968. He married Sally DeVera Kooperman in April 1934. The couple had a daughter, Frances. During his lifetime, Sam Pollock developed an extensive collection of labor literature. It became one of the largest and most respected private collections of union-related publications in the United States. At the time of his death, the collection number about 10,000 volumes and included books, magazines, journals and other publications on labor history
, socialism
, communism
, and economic and social theory. Many of the works were signed by their authors and most are classified as rare books.
Pollock retired in 1973. He and his wife moved to Chatsworth, California. Pollock remained only semi-retired, however. He taught courses in health policy at California State University, Northridge
. Pollock died in Chatsworth in 1983. Pollock's grandson is the noted experimental filmmaker Damon Packard
.
began in 1929, Pollock became deeply involved in the Ohio Unemployed League, a branch of the American Workers Party
(AWP). The goal of the League was to organize jobless workers, advocate for higher relief payments for the unemployed, and help the unemployed resist employer calls to take striking
workers' jobs.
In April 1934, Pollock became a leader in the bitter and violent strike by automobile parts workers at the Electric Auto-Lite plant in Toledo. Pollock and fellow League organizer Ted Selander essentially ran the strike along with AWP leader Louis Budenz. They helped plan mass marches which forced the plant to close. When a local court judge issued an injunction
limiting the number of picketers, Pollock and Selander wrote a letter to the judge declaring that the Lucas County Unemployed League would "deliberately and specifically violate the injunction enjoining us from sympathetically picketing peacefully in support of the striking auto workers' federal union." Pollock was arrested and convicted for picketing in violation of the court injunction on May 7, but his sentence was suspended. He was arrested again on May 11, but released by the court without any decision in his case. The strike erupted in rioting on May 23. Pollock played a significant but minor part in the negotiations which helped end the strike on June 2, 1934. After the strike, Pollock lost his job and was blacklisted for his activities on behalf of the union.
Just a few weeks later, Pollock became deeply involved in the Hardin County onion pickers strike. On June 19, 1934, onion weeders formed the first union of farm laborers in the United States, under the auspices of the International Quarrymen's Union. The 30 employers belonging to the Onion Growers' Association refused to recognize or bargain with the union, so the union called a strike. On June 22, a local court judge issued a sweeping labor injunction
which restricted picketing to groups of two. Local sheriff's deputies began mass arrests of the picketers for congregating in violation of the injunction. The county sheriff, supplied with funds provided by the employers, hired Ohio National Guard
troops who had recently served in Toledo during the Auto-Lite strike, and armed them with riot guns, machine-guns, and tear gas. Protests from Governor
George White
regarding the use of public equipment for private use were ignored. The troops helped break the strike by forcing workers off the picket lines and arresting hundreds of workers. When a truck of replacement workers attempted to run down a group of picketers, the picketers retaliated by throwing stones. Pollock was jailed and a $1,000 bail set for this incident. Pollock was held incommunicado for several days. When the local sheriff did tell Sarah Pollock where her husband was, he denied her access to him. When Pollock finally met with his defense attorneys, sheriff's deputies crowded close by to listen in on the conversations and physically intimidated the lawyers. The strike ended shortly thereafter without an agreement, and the union disbanded.
. This organizing drive was highly successful, and the workers formed Local 372. In 1941, Pollock was appointed a national organizer with the Amalgamated Meat Cutters. Local 372 merged with Amalgamated District 427 in 1950 and moved its headquarters to Cleveland. Pollock and his family moved there as well. In 1951, Pollock was elected president of another Amalgamated Meat Cutters local, the United Food and Communication Workers Union. He held this post until his retirement in 1973. Pollock was appointed interim District president in 1952, and elected to the position in his own right in 1953.
During his tenure, Pollock negotiated a number of progressive collective bargaining
agreements. Just a few years after his presidency began, Pollock had negotiated contracts which limited the work week to 40 hours and significantly raised wages. Pollock was particularly interested in health care for workers. In 1955, he won establishment of an employer-paid health and welfare fund, one of the first in the nation. In 1964, Pollock successfully negotiated the creation of the Community Health Foundation, a prepaid, direct-service medical care program. A year later, he won an agreement to establish a portable national employer-funded pension plan for all Amalgamated members. In 1958, Pollock helped defeat a right-to-work
amendment to the Ohio constitution. During this political battle, he was extremely active on The Committee to Oppose the Ohio Right to Work Amendment.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
labor union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
activist and leader. He helped lead two important strikes in 1934, the Auto-Lite Strike
Auto-Lite strike
The Toledo Auto-Lite strike was a strike by a federal labor union of the American Federation of Labor against the Electric Auto-Lite company of Toledo, Ohio, from April 12 to June 3, 1934....
and the Hardin County onion pickers strike
Hardin County onion pickers strike
The Hardin County onion pickers strike was a strike by agricultural workers in Hardin County, Ohio, in 1934. Led by the Agricultural Workers Union, Local 19724, the strike began on June 20, two days after the trade union formed...
, before becoming district president of the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America
Amalgamated Meat Cutters
The Amalgamated Meat Cutters , officially the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America, was a labor union that represented retail butchers and packinghouse workers.-History:...
.
Personal life
Pollock was born in Cleveland, OhioCleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
, in 1909 to Isadore and Sonia (Gordon) Pollock. In 1914, the Pollocks moved to Toledo
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
. Pollock attended public school in Toledo, and graduated in 1926. He attended both the University of Toledo
University of Toledo
The University of Toledo is a public university in Toledo, Ohio, United States. The Carnegie Foundation classified the university as "Doctoral/Research Extensive."-National recognition:...
and Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...
, but did not graduate from either institution. Pollock's daughter, Frances Pollock Packard, died in 1968. He married Sally DeVera Kooperman in April 1934. The couple had a daughter, Frances. During his lifetime, Sam Pollock developed an extensive collection of labor literature. It became one of the largest and most respected private collections of union-related publications in the United States. At the time of his death, the collection number about 10,000 volumes and included books, magazines, journals and other publications on labor history
Labor history (discipline)
Labor history is a broad field of study concerned with the development of the labor movement and the working class. The central concerns of labor historians include the development of labor unions, strikes, lockouts and protest movements, industrial relations, and the progress of working class and...
, socialism
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
, communism
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
, and economic and social theory. Many of the works were signed by their authors and most are classified as rare books.
Pollock retired in 1973. He and his wife moved to Chatsworth, California. Pollock remained only semi-retired, however. He taught courses in health policy at California State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge is a public university in Northridge, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California, United States....
. Pollock died in Chatsworth in 1983. Pollock's grandson is the noted experimental filmmaker Damon Packard
Damon Packard
Damon Packard is an underground American film director and actor. He currently lives and works in Los Angeles, California.- Early life :...
.
Strike involvement
When the Great DepressionGreat Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
began in 1929, Pollock became deeply involved in the Ohio Unemployed League, a branch of the American Workers Party
American Workers Party
The American Workers Party was a socialist organization established in December 1933 by activists in the Conference for Progressive Labor Action, a group headed by A.J. Muste.-Formation:...
(AWP). The goal of the League was to organize jobless workers, advocate for higher relief payments for the unemployed, and help the unemployed resist employer calls to take striking
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
workers' jobs.
In April 1934, Pollock became a leader in the bitter and violent strike by automobile parts workers at the Electric Auto-Lite plant in Toledo. Pollock and fellow League organizer Ted Selander essentially ran the strike along with AWP leader Louis Budenz. They helped plan mass marches which forced the plant to close. When a local court judge issued an injunction
Injunction
An injunction is an equitable remedy in the form of a court order that requires a party to do or refrain from doing certain acts. A party that fails to comply with an injunction faces criminal or civil penalties and may have to pay damages or accept sanctions...
limiting the number of picketers, Pollock and Selander wrote a letter to the judge declaring that the Lucas County Unemployed League would "deliberately and specifically violate the injunction enjoining us from sympathetically picketing peacefully in support of the striking auto workers' federal union." Pollock was arrested and convicted for picketing in violation of the court injunction on May 7, but his sentence was suspended. He was arrested again on May 11, but released by the court without any decision in his case. The strike erupted in rioting on May 23. Pollock played a significant but minor part in the negotiations which helped end the strike on June 2, 1934. After the strike, Pollock lost his job and was blacklisted for his activities on behalf of the union.
Just a few weeks later, Pollock became deeply involved in the Hardin County onion pickers strike. On June 19, 1934, onion weeders formed the first union of farm laborers in the United States, under the auspices of the International Quarrymen's Union. The 30 employers belonging to the Onion Growers' Association refused to recognize or bargain with the union, so the union called a strike. On June 22, a local court judge issued a sweeping labor injunction
Norris-LaGuardia Act
The Norris–La Guardia Act was a 1932 United States federal law that banned yellow-dog contracts, barred federal courts from issuing injunctions against nonviolent labor disputes, and created a positive right of noninterference by employers against workers joining trade unions...
which restricted picketing to groups of two. Local sheriff's deputies began mass arrests of the picketers for congregating in violation of the injunction. The county sheriff, supplied with funds provided by the employers, hired Ohio National Guard
Ohio National Guard
The Ohio National Guard comprises:* Ohio Army National Guard* Ohio Air National Guard-External links:* compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History...
troops who had recently served in Toledo during the Auto-Lite strike, and armed them with riot guns, machine-guns, and tear gas. Protests from Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
George White
George White (Ohio politician)
George White was the 52nd Governor of Ohio.Born in Elmira, New York, White attended Princeton College. After mining in the Klondike, White settled in Marietta, Ohio to drill for oil....
regarding the use of public equipment for private use were ignored. The troops helped break the strike by forcing workers off the picket lines and arresting hundreds of workers. When a truck of replacement workers attempted to run down a group of picketers, the picketers retaliated by throwing stones. Pollock was jailed and a $1,000 bail set for this incident. Pollock was held incommunicado for several days. When the local sheriff did tell Sarah Pollock where her husband was, he denied her access to him. When Pollock finally met with his defense attorneys, sheriff's deputies crowded close by to listen in on the conversations and physically intimidated the lawyers. The strike ended shortly thereafter without an agreement, and the union disbanded.
Union career
Pollock was labeled a radical for his involvement with the AWP and the two strikes, and ostracized from the mainstream labor movement. However, in 1938 Pollock was hired by the Amalgamated Meat Cutters to help organize a new local in Akron, OhioAkron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
. This organizing drive was highly successful, and the workers formed Local 372. In 1941, Pollock was appointed a national organizer with the Amalgamated Meat Cutters. Local 372 merged with Amalgamated District 427 in 1950 and moved its headquarters to Cleveland. Pollock and his family moved there as well. In 1951, Pollock was elected president of another Amalgamated Meat Cutters local, the United Food and Communication Workers Union. He held this post until his retirement in 1973. Pollock was appointed interim District president in 1952, and elected to the position in his own right in 1953.
During his tenure, Pollock negotiated a number of progressive collective bargaining
Collective bargaining
Collective bargaining is a process of negotiations between employers and the representatives of a unit of employees aimed at reaching agreements that regulate working conditions...
agreements. Just a few years after his presidency began, Pollock had negotiated contracts which limited the work week to 40 hours and significantly raised wages. Pollock was particularly interested in health care for workers. In 1955, he won establishment of an employer-paid health and welfare fund, one of the first in the nation. In 1964, Pollock successfully negotiated the creation of the Community Health Foundation, a prepaid, direct-service medical care program. A year later, he won an agreement to establish a portable national employer-funded pension plan for all Amalgamated members. In 1958, Pollock helped defeat a right-to-work
Right-to-work law
Right-to-work laws are statutes enforced in twenty-two U.S. states, mostly in the southern or western U.S., allowed under provisions of the federal Taft–Hartley Act, which prohibit agreements between labor unions and employers that make membership, payment of union dues, or fees a condition of...
amendment to the Ohio constitution. During this political battle, he was extremely active on The Committee to Oppose the Ohio Right to Work Amendment.
External links
- Sam Pollock Papers, 1932-1982. Center for Archival Collections, Bowling Green State University.
- Saward, Ernest W. Ernest M. Saward, M. D., History of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program: Electronic Version Sally Smith Hughes, ed. Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley. 1985.