#union contract

Terminal workers strike for first contract: 1970

A Trailways terminal employee pickets the facility at 12th and New York Avenue NW November 11, 1970 after the union called a strike to obtain a first contract.

The terminal employees, including ticket agents, clerks and baggage handlers were organized five months previously into Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1112.

The main issue in the strike was over a union security clause that would have required all workers in the unit to join the unit or pay an agency fee. The union had signed-up 86 of the 92 workers.

Operations were not significantly affected as supervisors filled in and drivers were under a separate contract with a no-strike clause.

The strike lasted until November 14th when workers gave up on the issue of obtaining a union shop.

The Washington Star quoted a union representative as saying the settlement was a “reasonably good economic package” and added that the workers dropped their union shop demand after “threatening” letters were sent to strikers.”