In June 1886, the union led a strike against the Oceanic Steamship Company. Lasting 83 days, it led to the unionization of all of the
West Coast ports of the
United States. The
San Francisco general strike, along with the 1934 Toledo
Auto-Lite Strike led by the
American Workers Party and the
Minneapolis Teamsters Strike of 1934, were important catalysts for the rise of
industrial unionism in the 1930s. West Coast sailors walked off their ships in support of the
International Longshoremen's Association longshoremen, leaving more than 50 ships idle in the San Francisco harbor. In clashes with the police between July 3 and July 5, 1934, three picketers were killed and "scores were injured." During negotiations to end the strike, the sailors received concessions such a three-watch system, pay increases, and better living conditions. In 1936, all the Pacific
Maritime Federation unions banded together to strike for wages, working conditions, and a union-controlled hiring hall. The strike was successful. The union participated in a 1948 West Coast strike that included the longshoremen. The strike lasted for four months with neither side clearly victorious. On March 16, 1962, the union called a strike and on April 11, 1962, under the
Taft–Hartley Act, a federal injunction was issued to stop the strike. After lengthy court battles, an agreement was reached, with the union gaining numerous concessions, including "overtime in port, pension benefits, wages, vacation, and welfare benefits." ==Building in San Francisco==