Civil Rights & Labor History Consortium | Photo and Document Gallery | 1919 Seattle General Strike | Strike sites today | Mutual Laundry Company
A labor-owned enterprise founded by the largely female Laundry Workers Union, Local 24 in 1915 The Mutual Laundry Company
Address: 714 Broad Street
The Mutual Laundry Company, a labor owned organization, was founded in 1915 and emerged from a largely female union: Laundry Workers’ Union, Local No. 24 who owned 50% of the companies stock. After a 1917 strike that opened the door to 100% unionization of white laundry workers in Seattle, more than 60 jobs were created for trade unionists at wages above union scale. Management and skilled labor jobs were reserved for men, while women were placed in unskilled work.
During the General Strike of 1919, the Mutual Laundry Company was exempt from participating in the workers strike. The company was kept open so that laundry service could be provided for the local hospitals. To prevent striking men and women from confusing the drivers with strike breakers, the servicemen drove in specially marked vehicles which read: "Hospital Laundry Only, by Order of General Strike Committee"
