Organized labor

Japanese immigrants, especially upon arrival, labored at menial jobs in the industries of agriculture, railroads, lumber, canneries, mining, and fishing. These workers toiled under poor, unsanitary, and often dangerous conditions for low wages. Around the turn of the century, sugar-beet harvesters earned about $1.25 for a ten-hour day, railroad workers earned between $1.00 and $1.25 per day, and Alaskan cannery workers earned between $100 and $200 for a six-month season. They actively sought to better their wages and living conditions through organizing unions and engaging in strikes, despite being barred from white unions.

Industry and employment (446)
Organized labor (60)

Related articles from the Densho Encyclopedia :
Koji Ariyoshi, Karl Yoneda

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60 items

doc Union Discusses Japanese Question (June 4, 1914) (ddr-densho-56-252)

The Seattle Daily Times, June 4, 1914, p. 4

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-252/

doc Japanese Workers Give Union Problem (December 28, 1917) (ddr-densho-56-304)

The Seattle Daily Times, December 28, 1917, p. 23

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-304/

doc Japanese Labor Lines Up in Support of Strike (February 4, 1919) (ddr-densho-56-317)

The Seattle Daily Times, February 4, 1919, p. 2

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-317/

doc Japanese on Strike. Four Hundred Mill Hands Object to Having Wages Cut. (January 19, 1905) (ddr-densho-56-49)

The Seattle Daily Times, January 19, 1905, p. 14

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-49/

doc Workers Kick; Japs Quit; Now it's Worse (March 19, 1942) (ddr-densho-56-695)

The Seattle Daily Times, March 19, 1942, p. 3

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-695/

Organized Labor. Japanese Union Holds Meeting. Crowd Attends Initial Session of New Labor Organization -- Orientals Seek American Workers' Goal. (August 23, 1915) (ddr-densho-56-272)

doc Organized Labor. Japanese Union Holds Meeting. Crowd Attends Initial Session of New Labor Organization -- Orientals Seek American Workers' Goal. (August 23, 1915) (ddr-densho-56-272)

The Seattle Daily Times, August 23, 1915, p. 7

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-272/

doc Packing House Workers to Admit Japanese to Union (September 17, 1918) (ddr-densho-56-314)

The Seattle Daily Times, September 17, 1918, p. 10

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-314/

doc Central Council Would Admit Japanese Unions (May 28, 1914) (ddr-densho-56-250)

The Seattle Daily Times, May 28, 1914, p. 5

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-250/

I.W.W. Plans Blow to Federation Unionists. State Labor Commissioner Hears of Plot to Return to Lumber Camps and Let A.F.L. Stay Out in Cold. (September 11, 1917) (ddr-densho-56-300)

doc I.W.W. Plans Blow to Federation Unionists. State Labor Commissioner Hears of Plot to Return to Lumber Camps and Let A.F.L. Stay Out in Cold. (September 11, 1917) (ddr-densho-56-300)

The Seattle Daily Times, September 11, 1917, p. 3

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-300/

doc Japanese Question Before Butchers' Union (June 3, 1914) (ddr-densho-56-251)

The Seattle Daily Times, June 3, 1914, p. 8

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-251/

Organized Labor. Seattle Bakers Threaten Strike. If Demands for $1 a Day Raise in Wages is Not Met, Walkout May Come May 1. Three Cities Involved. (April 25, 1919) (ddr-densho-56-324)

doc Organized Labor. Seattle Bakers Threaten Strike. If Demands for $1 a Day Raise in Wages is Not Met, Walkout May Come May 1. Three Cities Involved. (April 25, 1919) (ddr-densho-56-324)

The Seattle Daily Times, April 25, 1919, p. 24

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-324/

doc A.F.L. Invites Japanese. Asiatics Urged to Affiliate With Union Organization. (April 23, 1920) (ddr-densho-56-348)

The Seattle Daily Times, April 23, 1920, p. 9

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-348/

doc Japanese Labor Unions Organize (October 21, 1916) (ddr-densho-56-290)

The Seattle Daily Times, October 21, 1916, p. 4

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-290/

Powerful Labor Organization Planned by Seattle Japanese. Revolutionary Move Designed to Eliminate Existing Racial Prejudice on Coast. Little Brown Men Will Copy A.F.L. System. (July 25, 1915) (ddr-densho-56-269)

doc Powerful Labor Organization Planned by Seattle Japanese. Revolutionary Move Designed to Eliminate Existing Racial Prejudice on Coast. Little Brown Men Will Copy A.F.L. System. (July 25, 1915) (ddr-densho-56-269)

The Seattle Daily Times, July 25, 1915, p. 5

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-269/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 1 No. 21 (March 21, 1947) (ddr-densho-229-8)

"Unions Reject Alaska Industrial Offer" (p. 1), "B.C. Students Ask Citizenship for Japanese, Indians" (p. 1), "Yoshida Urges U.S. to Stay in Japan to Insure Peace" (p. 1)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-8/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 1 No. 74 (October 10, 1947) (ddr-densho-229-61)

"Nisei War Dead on Second Shipment of State Servicemen Killed in Action" (p. 1), "New Local 7 Cannery Union Officers Will be Installed on Nov. 1" (p. 1), "JCCC Promises Legal Experts for Japanese" (p. 4).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-61/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 2 No. 34 (April 17, 1948) (ddr-densho-229-102)

"A.V.C. Files Brief as Friend of Court in Takahashi Litigation; Assails Bias in Calif. Measure" (p. 1)," Local 7 Alaska Workers to Consider Strike Vote" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-102/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 2 No. 35 (April 21, 1948) (ddr-densho-229-103)

"Cabanilla Says: Local 7 Will Start "Throwing Punches' in Alaska Talks" (p. 1), "JACL Goes on Record as Backing Prompt Statehood for Hawaii" (p. 1), "U.S. Enters Takahashi Case" (p. 4).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-103/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 1 No. 20 (March 18, 1947) (ddr-densho-229-7)

"Fort Denies GI's in Town Saturday Night" (p. 1), "Pay Differences Peril Continuance of Salmon Industry" (p. 1), "Most Japanese Unaffected by Deportation Rule" (p. 2)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-7/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 1 No. 19 (March 14, 1947) (ddr-densho-229-6)

"Alaska Cannery Contract Talks Start" (p. 1), "House Unit Halts Bills Preventing Alien Deportation" (p. 1), "Army Seeks More Nisei GI's to Aid Occupation of Japan" (p. 1), "Republican Majority Votes to Kill State FEPC Bill" (p. 2).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-6/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 1 No. 45 (June 27, 1947) (ddr-densho-229-33)

"International Body Ousts Local 7 Officers" (p. 1), "Urges Board to Sift Loss in Evacuation" (p. 1), "Death of Race Ties Unit of NHA Set for Monday, June 30; Lack of Funds Forces Move, Aide Says" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-33/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 3 No. 37 (May 7, 1949) (ddr-densho-229-204)

"Japanese Canadians Will Use Their Provincial Franchise on June 15, Day of B.C. Election" (p. 1), "Washington State CIO Council Backs Local 7 in Fight against AFL Unit in Cannery Dispute" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-204/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 3 No. 42 (May 25, 1949) (ddr-densho-229-209)

"NLRB Turns Down Petition by Two AFL Unions for Vote Among Alaska Cannery Men" (p. 1), "Honors to GI Dead and Dedication of Monument Set" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-209/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 1 No. 72 (October 3, 1947) (ddr-densho-229-59)

"Local 7 Rejects Ousted Officials" (p. 1), Postscript to World War II: Nation's War Dead to Return Oct. 10" (p. 1), "Court Returns Greenhouses to Japanese" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-59/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 1 No. 39 (June 6, 1947) (ddr-densho-229-27)

"Many Alaska Salmon Industry Workers Sought" (p. 1), "Report Cites B.C. Removal of Japanese" (p. 1), "Okada and Satow Will Speak Here Monday Night in Buddhist Church; Report on Claims Board Bill" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-27/