In February 1945, Herbert Sorrell lead a six-month strike that originated with a dispute between two unions, the CSU (Conference of Studio Unions) and the IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Moving Picture Machine Operators of the United States and Canada) over which one of them had union authority over seventy-seven set decorators. An independent arbitrator appointed by the War Labor Board found that the CSU had jurisdiction over the set decorators. When Hollywood producers refused to acknowledge that decision, the strike began. Around 10,000 CSU workers went on strike, picketing all of the studios. Many members of IATSE refused to cross the picket lines or do work normally filled by members of the CSU. The studios, however, had films already completed and were able to handle the strike better than the workers. By October, resources were running low and on October 5, 1945, picketers and replacement workers were involved in a bloody battle that became known as Hollywood Black Friday. Police and sheriffs from several departments were called in to handle the melee. Over 40 people were injured and property was destroyed. The strike was settled for a time. Another strike was called in September, 1946, after the studios replaced CSU workers and locked them out. After more fighting, the Screen Actors Guild voted to cross picket lines, a blow to the strikers. The CSU finally voted to permit impoverished members and supporters to cross the picket lines and return to work. These events led to the enactment of the Taft-Hartley Act, a federal bill that restricts the activities and power of labor unions. Photograph caption dated October 22, 1945 reads "Hundreds of film strikers are shown marching down the street as they staged another demonstration today in front of Warner Brothers' studio. A picket line of 50 men formed at Warners' early this morning and two hours later it had been increased to more than 700 persons." The picketers are walking the entire length of the Warner Brothers building, with some carrying picket signs. Several policemen can be seen on both sides of the street. Four cars are driving down the street and one car with loudspeakers on top is parked on the opposite side. An American flag flies over the building. Warner Brothers studio is located in Burbank, California.
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Image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;21 x 26 cm. Photographic prints
Conference of Studio Unions Warner Bros Strikes and lockouts--Motion picture industry--California--Burbank (Los Angeles County) Motion picture studios--California--Burbank (Los Angeles County)--Employees Motion picture studios--California--Burbank (Los Angeles County) Motion picture industry--California--Burbank (Los Angeles County)--Employees Police--California--Burbank (Los Angeles County) Signs and signboards--California--Burbank (Los Angeles County) Crowds--California--Burbank (Los Angeles County) Picketing--California--Burbank (Los Angeles County) Labor unions--United States Automobiles--California--Burbank (Los Angeles County) Loudspeakers--California--Burbank (Los Angeles County) Flags--United States Electric lines--Poles and towers Men--California--Burbank (Los Angeles County) Women--California--Burbank (Los Angeles County) Burbank (Los Angeles County, Calif.) Los Angeles Evening Herald and Express photographs Herald-Examiner Collection photographs
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