“Labor’s Turning Point”, Kodak SP, orange/brown fade, more elaborate description in can

“Full-length documentary on the 1934 Truckers Strikes that transformed Minneapolis into a union town and prompted passage of the labor law that made collective bargaining government policy.”

“The 1934 Minneapolis truck drivers’ strike was a pivotal struggle for working people of the mid-west. As a result of new tactics developed in the successful strike, it led to the organization of over the road truckers and the growth of the Teamsters nationally into one of the most important and powerful unions in the United States. The film shows how the strike was organized and how the union broke the back of the anti-union Citizen’s Alliance and made Minneapolis a union town. It also includes the ground breaking role of the strikers’ wives in organizing for the strike and the establishment of a daily strike bulletin. These tactics are still relevant today in the struggle of labor to organize and survive.”

“The film chronicles the 1934 Minneapolis Truckers’ Strike, a key labor conflict that became a turning point in the U.S. labor movement. Sparked by poor wages and harsh working conditions, workers led by Local 574, a Teamsters union, fought for recognition and better terms. The strike escalated when police opened fire on picketers during “Bloody Friday” on July 20, killing two and wounding dozens. This violence turned public opinion in favor of the strikers, and support grew from other unions, small farmers, and even some businesses. Despite government crackdowns and martial law, the workers’ determination paid off. The strike ended with a victory in August when the employers agreed to the union’s demands for higher wages and bargaining rights. The strike led to wider unionization across Minneapolis and helped inspire labor reforms, including the 1935 Wagner Act, which protected workers’ rights to organize. The film emphasizes the profound impact of the strike on workers’ lives and the broader labor movement, illustrating how a battle that began in Minneapolis rippled across the country, changing the future of American labor.” (AI Generated From Youtube Transcript)