The 1917 Bloomington Streetcar Strike was a labor dispute starting on May 28, 1917[4][2][5][α] when ATU Local 752 called a strike for union recognition, increased pay, and a shortened workday.
It ended in July when the mayor of Bloomington, E.E. Jones, mediated contract talks between the workers and company from July 6 to 9. During this, Illinois National Guard had been stationed outside the courthouse where mediation was occurring and B&N’s power plant, equipped with machine gun emplacements.[2]
An agreement was reached on July 9, 1917 in a victory for the union, winning recognition, reduced hours, and increased pay.[2][4][1]
^Sources conflict on the starting date of the strike. ATU Local 752[6] mistakenly states April 28, 1917 for its history. While the Mother Jones museum[2] & McLean County Museum[4] state March 28, 1917 which aligns with all the primary sources.[5]
