Civil Rights and Labor History Consortium / University of Washington
News Coverage of the 1971 Longshore Strike

The 1971 ILWU strike closed ports up and down the West Coast and for a time hindered supply shipments that the US government needed to prosecute the war in Vietnam. It was only the third strike ever called by the ILWU and came at a time when the union seemed to be weakening as new technology changed work on the docks. The strike began on July 1, 1971, shutting down all 56 West Coast ports. Three months later, the Nixon administration intervened, securing a Taft-Hartley injunction and forcing the longshoremen back to work for an 80 day "cooling off period." But on January 17, with negotiations stalled, the longshoremen left the docks again. Under intense federal pressure, the two sides resumed negotiations and agreed on a contract. When it ended on February 20, the on-again off-again strike had lasted more than six months. The ILWU secured most of its important demands and emerged from the conflict stronger than ever. Not until the lockout of 2002 would the West Coast experience another serious waterfront confrontation. For a full account of the strike see Ashley Lindsey, "The 1971 ILWU Strike: 130 Days to Victory."

Here is a complete day-by-day record of the strike -- more than 160 articles that appeared in the ILWU Dispatcher, the Seattle Times and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. The database was created by Ashley Lindsiey and accompanies her essay on the strike. Click the links to read the articles.

DATE
NEWSPAPER
 ARTICLE TITLE LINK
       
21-Mar-69
The Dispatcher
 Local 6 Convention Plans for 1970 Bargaining Dispatcher_Mar_21_1969.pdf
23-Oct-70
The Dispatcher
 Caucus Rolls Into Third Week Dispatcher_Oct_22_1971_1.pdf
23-Oct-70
The Dispatcher
 Dock Caucus in Third Week Dispatcher_Oct_23_1970_2.pdf
6-Nov-70
The Dispatcher
 Set Contract Demands Dispatcher_Nov_6_1970_1.pdf
6-Nov-70
The Dispatcher
 Contract Demands for 1971 Dispatcher_Nov_6_1970_2.pdf
6-Nov-70
The Dispatcher
 ILWU Committee Reports on East Coast Contract Dispatcher_Nov_6_1970_3.pdf
20-Nov-70
The Dispatcher
 Longshore Negotiations Begin Dispatcher_Nov_20_1970_1.pdf
20-Nov-70
The Dispatcher
 Dock Demands go to PMA Dispatcher_Nov_20_1970_2.pdf
18-Dec-70
The Dispatcher
Nixonomics: Workers Pick Up Tab Dispatcher_Dec_18_1970.pdf
8-Jan-71
The Dispatcher
 Time to Tone Up the Muscles Dispatcher_Jan_8_1971_1.pdf
5-Feb-71
The Dispatcher
 Longshore Parleys Resumed Dispatcher_Feb_5_1971_1.pdf
7-May-71
The Dispatcher
 Caucus Prepares for Fight Dispatcher_May_7_1971_1.pdf
7-May-71
The Dispatcher
 Gleason Speaks; ILA Solidarity Pledged in Coast Dock Battle Dispatcher_May_7_1971_2.pdf
7-May-71
The Dispatcher
 Caucus Gets Set for Fight Dispatcher_May_7_1971_3.pdf
21-May-71
The Dispatcher
 Longshore Parleys in Recess Dispatcher_May_21_1971.pdf
4-Jun-71
The Dispatcher
 Longshore Committee Reconvenes Dispatcher_June_4_1971_1.pdf
17-Jun-71
The Dispatcher
 Longshore, Clerk Strike Vote Dispatcher_June_17_1971.pdf
30-Jun-71
Seattle Times
 West Coast Dockers May Strike Tomorrow ST_1971_Jun_30_1.png
30-Jun-71
Seattle Times
 Container Loading is Chief Objective in Dock Strike ST_1971_Jun_31_b15.JPG
1-Jul-71
Seattle Times
 Longshore Strike Ties Up Port ST_1971_Jul_1_A1.pdf
1-Jul-71
Seattle P.I.
 Longshoremen Set West Coast Strike for Today PI_Jul_1_1971_A1.pdf
2-Jul-71
The Dispatcher
 Coast On Strike Dispatcher_Jul_2_1971_1.pdf
2-Jul-71
The Dispatcher
 Documents on Challenge to Coast Committee Dispatcher_Jul_2_1971_7.pdf
2-Jul-71
The Dispatcher
 West Coast Longshoremen, Clerks on the Bricks Dispatcher_Jul_2_1971_8.pdf
4-Jul-71
Seattle P.I.
 Dock Paralysis Continues PI_Jul_4_1971_7.pdf
6-Jul-71
Seattle Times
 Military Cargo Loaded ST_1971_Jul_6_d7.pdf
6-Jul-71
Seattle P.I.
 Heavy Shipping Traffic in B.C. PI_Jul_6_1971_1.pdf
6-Jul-71
Seattle P.I.
 Thousands Still on Strike in Region; No End in Sight PI_Jul_6_1971_11.pdf
7-Jul-71
Seattle Times
 Shipyard Wokers Take Strike Vote, Canadian Importers Fear Strike Effect ST_1971_Jul_7_b9.pdf
7-Jul-71
Seattle P.I.
 Dock Strike- Toll of a Week Pi_Jul_7_1971_16.pdf
8-Jul-71
Seattle P.I.
 Saiboat Saga- Middies-Strike PI_Jul_8_1971_24.pdf
9-Jul-71
Seattle P.I.
 Sorry to Report, This Will Hurt PI_Jul_9_1971_23.pdf
10-Jul-71
Seattle P.I.
 Dock Strike Brought on by Union Fight PI_Jul_10_1971_24.pdf
14-Jul-71
Seattle Times
 Port Officials Hope Strike Ends Soon ST_1971_Jul_14_e12.pdf
14-Jul-71
Seattle P.I.
 Tieup Costing Port $185,000 Monthly PI_Jul_14_1871_1.pdf
14-Jul-71
Seattle P.I.
 Dock Strike PI_Jul_14_1971_3.pdf
15-Jul-71
Seattle P.I.
 Dock Strike Cost May Hit $16 Million PI_Jul_15_1971_A1.pdf
16-Jul-71
The Dispatcher
 Strike 100% Effective Dispatcher_Jul_16_1971_1.pdf
16-Jul-71
The Dispatcher
 On the Beam- We Have A Winner Dispatcher_Jul_16_1971_2.pdf
16-Jul-71
The Dispatcher
 Bridges Explains PMA Final Offer, Strategy Dispatcher_Jul_16_1971_3.pdf
16-Jul-71
The Dispatcher
 Strike Committee OK's Grain Shipment to Pakistan Victims Dispatcher_Jul_16_1971_8.pdf
17-Jul-71
Seattle P.I.
 Time for Dock Talks' PI_Jul_17_1971_1.pdf
19-Jul-71
Seattle P.I.
 Some Progress, But Strikes Go On PI_Jul_19_1971_3.pdf
20-Jul-71
Seattle P.I.
 Coast Cargo Floods Vancouver Docks PI_Jul_20_1971_1.pdf
20-Jul-71
Seattle P.I.
 West Coast Cargo Floods Vancouver, B.C. Docks PI_Jul_20_1971_4.pdf
22-Jul-71
Seattle P.I.
 Dock Strike Talks Set for Next Week, Stans Asks Settlement of Longshore Strike pi_jul_22_1972.pdf
25-Jul-71
Seattle P.I.
Possible Break in Dock Strife, Says Magnuson pi_jul_25_1971_1.pdf
25-Jul-71
Seattle P.I.
 Magnuson Predicts New Dock Talks Tomorrow pi_jul_25_1971_14.pdf
27-Jul-71
Seattle P.I.
 Dispute Blocking Wheat Shipment pi_jul_27_1971_b.pdf
30-Jul-71
The Dispatcher
 Strike Enters 5th Week Dispatcher_Jul_30_1971_1.pdf
30-Jul-71
The Dispatcher
 Worldwide Support for Dockers Dispatcher_Jul_30_1971_6.pdf
30-Jul-71
The Dispatcher
 Strike in 5th Week; Containter Jurisdiction a Major Issue Dispatcher_Jul_30_1971_8.pdf
31-Jul-71
Seattle P.I.
 Bridges' Plan Rejected pi_jul_31_1971_a2.pdf
3-Aug-71
Seattle P.I.
 New Look is a L-o-o-o-ng Look PI_Aug_3_1971_14.pdf
4-Aug-71
Seattle P.I.
 Seattle Assist for Jupiter Flight PI_Aug_4_1971_20.pdf
7-Aug-71
Seattle P.I.
 Longshore Negotiators to Meet PI_Aug_7_1971_22.pdf
11-Aug-71
Seattle Times
Dock Workers in Portland Move Goods, U.S. Not Entering Dock Strike ST_1971_Aug_11_H6.pdf
11-Aug-71
Seattle P.I.
 Evans May Ask Congress to End Dock Walkout PI_Aug_11_1971_1.pdf
11-Aug-71
Seattle P.I.
 Dock Strike May Further Hurt State's Economy- Evans, Nixon Dock Strike Action Held Doubtful PI_Aug_11_1971_2.pdf
11-Aug-71
Seattle P.I.
 "Anchored" PMA Advertisement PI_Aug_11_1971_10.pdf
12-Aug-71
Seattle P.I.
 Nixon Can End Dock Strike' PI_Aug_12_1971_1.pdf
13-Aug-71
The Dispatcher
 Coast Body Urges Locals to Step-Up Talks, Non-Striking ILWU Locals Voting Funds for Longshore Dispatcher_Aug_13_1971_1.pdf
13-Aug-71
The Dispatcher
 Dock Strike Leader Blasts 'Let 'Em Starve' Editorial, ILWU: Nix on Wage Lids, Pickets Demand a Halt To Stall of Food Stamps Dispatcher_Aug_13_1971_6.pdf
13-Aug-71
Seattle P.I.
 Evans May Turn To Nixon in Dock Strike PI_Aug_13_1971_1.pdf
15-Aug-71
Seattle Times
 Dock Strike Threatens 10,000 Jobs Here ST_1971_Aug_15_A6.pdf
16-Aug-71
Seattle P.I.
 Nixon Freezes Wages, Prices, Maps Path to 'New Prosperity' PI_Aug_16_1971_1.pdf
16-Aug-71
Seattle P.I.
 Food for Pakistan Loaded PI_Aug_16_1971_3.pdf
18-Aug-71
Seattle P.I.
 Nixon Asks Unions to Halt Strikes, Avoid New Ones PI_Aug_18_1971_1.pdf
18-Aug-71
Seattle P.I.
 Evans to Urge Both Sides to Halt Dock Strike 90 Days PI_Aug_18_1971_6.pdf
27-Aug-71
The Dispatcher
 ILWU-PMA Dock Talks Resume Dispatcher_Aug_27_1971_1.pdf
27-Aug-71
The Dispatcher
 Strike Continues on All Items, Including Wages; ILWU Opposes Pay Freeze Dispatcher_Aug_27_1971_5.pdf
10-Sep-71
The Dispatcher
 Longshore Parleys Continue Dispatcher_Sep_10_1971_1.pdf
10-Sep-71
The Dispatcher
 Longshore Parleys Continue, from page 1 Dispatcher_Sep_10_1971_2.pdf
10-Sep-71
The Dispatcher
 Notes from the Picket Lines: 'The Beat Goes On' Dispatcher_Sep_10_1971_8.pdf
24-Sep-71
Seattle P.I.
 90 Days About Up. Is it Magic? pi_sept_24_1971_d4.pdf
24-Sep-71
The Dispatcher
 Coast Parleys Intensified Dispatcher_Sep_24_1971_1.pdf
26-Sep-71
Seattle P.I.
 President Enters the Dock Talks pi_sept_26_1971_1.pdf
26-Sep-71
Seattle P.I.
 Nixon Prods Dock Talks At Portland pi_sept_26_1971-2.pdf
28-Sep-71
Seattle Times
 Dock Strikes: East, West, New Threat has B.C. Uneasy, Talks Prodded but No Progress ST_1971_Sept_28_A16.pdf
30-Sep-71
Seattle P.I.
 Longshore Chief Authorized to Call East Coast Strike, West Coast Dock Strike Hits Hawaii in Stomach pi_sept_30_1971_a4.pdf
1-Oct-71
Seattle Times
 Dock Strike hits Gulf, East Ports ST_1971_Oct_1_a1.pdf
1-Oct-71
Seattle P.I.
 East Coast, Gulf Dockmen On Strike After Talks Fail PI_Oct_1_1971_a1.pdf
1-Oct-71
Seattle P.I.
 East Coast, Gulf Dockers Strike PI_oct_1_1971_a6.pdf
1-Oct-71
Seattle P.I.
 Strike Insurance? By The Millions. PI_Oct_1_1971_c9.pdf
2-Oct-72
Seattle P.I.
 Nixon 'Optimistic' West Coast Dock Strike End Near PI_Oct_2_1971_a1.pdf
2-Oct-72
Seattle P.I.
 Nixon Hopeful on Dock Strike PI_oct_2_1971_a8.pdf
4-Oct-71
Seattle Times
 Time Running Out' in West Dock Strike ST_1971_Oct_4_a1.pdf
4-Oct-71
Seattle Times
 West Coast Dock Talks Deadlocked- Mediator ST_1971_Oct_4_c16.pdf
5-Oct-72
Seattle P.I.
 Nixon Invokes Taft-Hartley, Moves to End Dock Strikes PI_Oct_5_1971_a1.pdf
5-Oct-72
Seattle P.I.
 Dock Strikes, Halt of Strike Lauded Pi_Oct_5_1971_a7.pdf
6-Oct-72
Seattle P.I.
 $1.7 Billion Cost in Dock Strike PI_oct_6_1971_a1.pdf
7-Oct-72
Seattle P.I.
 Judge Orders End to Coast Dock Strike pi_oct_7_1971_a1.pdf
7-Oct-72
Seattle P.I.
 Coast Dock Strike End Ordered pi_oct_7_1971_a13.pdf
7-Oct-72
Seattle P.I.
 Strike Costing Millions in Lost Wages- Evans pi_oct_7_1971_e6.pdf
8-Oct-72
Seattle P.I.
 Dockers Return Tomorrow pi_oct_8_1971_a1.pdf
8-Oct-72
Seattle P.I.
 Longshoremen to Return Tomorrow pi_oct_8_1971_a13.pdf
8-Oct-71
The Dispatcher
 Now It's Taft-Hartley! Dispatcher_Oct_1971_1.pdf
8-Oct-72
The Dispatcher
 Strategy Under T-H Dispatcher_Oct_8_1971_2.pdf
8-Oct-72
The Dispatcher
 Nixon Uses Strikebreak Act, ILWU Strategy Committee Recommends Return to Work, How Does Taft-Hartley Work Dispatcher_Oct_8_1971_8.pdf
9-Oct-71
Seattle Times
 Dock Activity Resumes Here as Long Strike is Interrupted ST_1971_Oct_9_a1.pdf
9-Oct-71
Seattle Times
 Pacific Coast Longshoremen Return to Work ST_1971_oct_9_b4.pdf
22-Oct-71
The Dispatcher
 80 Days- To Cool Off? Dispatcher_Oct_22_1971_1.pdf
22-Oct-71
The Dispatcher
 Status Of Longshore Negotiations as of October 4 Dispatcher_Oct_22_1971_3.pdf
5-Nov-71
The Dispatcher
 Mutual Aid Pledge: ILWU-ILA Plan Action Program Dispatcher_Nov_5_1971_1.pdf
4-Dec-71
Seattle Times
 Longshoremen Ready for Vote ST_1971_Dec_4_A6.pdf
7-Dec-71
The Dispatcher
 Vote 'NO' on PMA's 'Last Offer' Dispatcher_Dec_7_1971_1.pdf
7-Dec-71
The Dispatcher
 Statement on Wage Price Controls Dispatcher_Dec_7_1971_4.pdf
22-Dec-71
The Dispatcher
 Thumbs Down on 'Final Offer' Dispatcher_Dec_22_1971_1.pdf
23-Dec-71
Seattle Times
 Dockers Will Stay on Job Until Jan.10 ST_1971_Dec_23_1_A1.pdf
23-Dec-71
Seattle Times
 Mediator keeps watch on dock talks ST_1971_Dec_23_2_A6.JPG
7-Jan-72
Seattle P.I.
 Ships Build Up Again. Another Strike? pi_jan_7_1972_c3.pdf
14-Jan-72
The Dispatcher
 Dockers Near Showdown Dispatcher_Jan_14_1972_1.pdf
14-Jan-72
The Dispatcher
 Dockers Are Nixon's Target Dispatcher_Jan_14_1972_2.pdf
15-Jan-72
Seattle P.I.
 Teamster, ILWU Merger in the Works? PI_Jan_15_1972_a1.pdf
15-Jan-72
Seattle P.I.
 House Rejects Memorial On Dock Strike PI_jan_15_1972_a3.pdf
16-Jan-72
Seattle P.I.
 U.S. to Act If Dockers Walk Out PI_jan_16_1972_a1.pdf
16-Jan-72
Seattle P.I.
 Evans Calls for Dock Pact pi_jan_16_1972_a15.pdf
17-Jan-72
Seattle P.I.
 11th-hour Talks Try to Avert Dock Strike PI_jan_17_1972_a1.pdf
17-Jan-72
Seattle P.I.
 Dockers to Get Word At 10 A.M. PI_jan_17_1972_a7.pdf
18-Jan-72
Seattle P.I.
 Dockers Walk Off Here, At 23 Other Ports pi_jan_18_1972_a1.pdf
18-Jan-72
Seattle P.I.
 Dock Strike Hits Seattle and Coast PI_jan_18_1972_a5.pdf
19-Jan-72
Seattle P.I.
 Struck Dock Employers Ban Military Cargo pi_Jan_19_1972_a1.pdf
19-Jan-72
Seattle P.I.
 Struck Dock Employers Ban Military Cargo, cont. from A1 pi_jan_19_1972_a5.pdf
19-Jan-72
Seattle P.I.
 His Hulaland Cycle Stuck on the Dock pi_jan_19_1972_c8.pdf
28-Jan-72
The Dispatcher
 Back on the Bricks, Talks Will Resume on January 31, Nixon Wants Bill to Bust Dock Strike Dispatcher_Jan_28_1972_1.pdf
28-Jan-72
The Dispatcher
 On the Beam- Force Won't Work Dispatcher_Jan_28_1972_2.pdf
28-Jan-72
The Dispatcher
 Support Pours in for Renewed Coast Strike Dispatcher_Jan_28_1972_3.pdf
28-Jan-72
The Dispatcher
 Cartoon Dispatcher_Jan_28_1972_4.pdf
28-Jan-72
The Dispatcher
 Longshore Talks Will Resume Dispatcher_Jan_28_1972_8.pdf
2-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Congress Scored on Dock Delay PI_feb_2_1972_a1.pdf
2-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Congress Scored on Dock Delay, Cont. from A1 PI_feb_2_1971_a5.pdf
3-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Nixon Rips Solons On Dock Inaction pi_feb_3_1971_a1.pdf
3-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Nixon Rips Solons On Dock Inaction, from A1 pi_feb_3_1972_a4.pdf
4-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Dock Strike Settlement Seems Near pi_feb_4_1972_a1.pdf
4-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Union Dispute Ties Up Import Cars pi_feb_4_1972_b8.pdf
5-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Bridges Offers to Arbitrate If Talks Fail Pi_feb_5_1972_a1.pdf
5-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Bridges Offers Strike Arbitration pi_feb_5_1972_a5.pdf
5-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Our '71 Shipping-Down 27 Per Cent pi_feb_5_1972_a15.pdf
6-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Bridges' Talk 'Threat' to U.S.? pi_feb_6_1972_a1.pdf
7-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Union, Shippers Talking pi_feb_7_1972_a1.pdf
8-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Senators Act in Dock Strike pi_feb_8_1972_a1.pdf
8-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Senators Act on Dock Strike Plan pi_feb_8_1972_a4.pdf
9-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Dock Pact Is in Hand; Up to Vote pi_feb_9_1972_a1.pdf
9-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Dock Pact in Hand; Now it's up to a vote pi_feb_9_1972_a2.pdf
9-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Foreign Cars Here Await Unloading pi_feb_9_1972_a16.pdf
10-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 House Passes Bill To End Dock Strike pi_feb_10_1972_a1.pdf
10-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Bill to End Dock Strike OK'd pi_feb_10_1972_a5.pdf
11-Feb-72
The Dispatcher
 Coast Dock Agreement Dispatcher_Feb_11_1972_1.pdf
11-Feb-72
The Dispatcher
 Summary of Dock Contract Dispatcher_Feb_11_1972_4.pdf
11-Feb-72
The Dispatcher
 Cont. Summary of Dock Contract Dispatcher_feb_11_1972_5.pdf
11-Feb-72
The Dispatcher
 Bridges Blasts Compulsory Arbitration Dispatcher_feb_11_1972_7.pdf
11-Feb-72
The Dispatcher
 Tentative Dock Pact Dispatcher_feb_11_1972_8.pdf
12-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Teamsters Urge Merger on Docks pi_feb_12_1972_a7.pdf
14-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Dock Chiefs Meet Again on Contract pi_feb_14_1972_a1.pdf
15-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Wage Still Dock Issue pi_feb_15_1972_a13.pdf
15-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Cargo Rode Out Strike pi_feb_15_1972_c5.pdf
16-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Ratification of Dock Pact Urged pi_feb_16_1972_a1.pdf
16-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 OK Dock Pact, Says Union Panel pi_feb_16_1972_a1_2.pdf
18-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Docks Future Still Glimmering pi_feb_18_1972_c4.pdf
19-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Dockers Voting In Favor of Pact pi_feb_19_1792_a1.pdf
19-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Dockers Voting Pact OK pi_feb_19_1972_a5.pdf
20-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Snag Stalls Dock Strike Settlement pi_feb_20_1972_a1.pdf
20-Feb-72
Seattle P.I.
 Snag Over 'Steady Man' Stalls Dock Settlement pi_feb_20_1972_a6.pdf
24-Feb-72
The Dispatcher
 Strike is Over Dispatcher_feb_24_1972_1.pdf
24-Feb-72
The Dispatcher
 Summary of Longshore Pact Dispatcher_Feb_24_1972_3.pdf
24-Feb-72
The Dispatcher
 How Dock Locals Voted, Ranks OK Contract Dispatcher_feb_24_1972_8.pdf