Chapter 5

The Beginning of the Morrin Era — 1918 Through 1929

Chapter 5, The Beginning of the Morrin Era, marks a period of rebuilding, resilience, and renewed direction for the International. Covering the years 1918 through 1929 and spanning the 12th through 23rd International Conventions, this chapter introduces the leadership of General President Paul J. Morrin, whose tenure would extend for more than three decades. Taking office in the aftermath of the conspiracy trials, Morrin inherited a union facing uncertainty, external opposition, and the challenge of restoring stability and trust. His leadership would prove critical in guiding the organization through one of the most transformative eras in its history.

In the years that followed, Morrin and the union were forced to confront a wide range of ongoing struggles. Jurisdictional disputes with the Carpenters Union over pile driving work, shipyard rigging, and reinforcing continued to test the strength and resolve of the organization. At the same time, broader labor conflicts shook the nation, including the Great Steel Strike of 1919, a massive effort by workers to secure union recognition and improved conditions in one of America’s most powerful industries. These challenges were compounded by the growing influence of employer backed initiatives such as the “American Plan,” in which over 200 open shop associations united with the goal of weakening and ultimately eliminating organized labor.

Adding to this already difficult landscape was internal and ideological pressure from groups like the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and the emergence of so-called “White Card” Ironworkers, whose actions threatened to divide the workforce and undermine union strength, particularly on the West Coast, where some locals faced near collapse. Despite these obstacles, this chapter highlights how strong leadership, unity, and perseverance allowed the Ironworkers to endure and move forward. The Morrin Era became a turning point in which the union not only survived adversity, but laid the groundwork for future growth, stability, and continued solidarity.

Historical Video Resources:

Title	Full Link
World War 1- A BBC Documentary	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVJiddvX878&list=PLAIMatuEtrNY&index=1
The Titans That Built America Se1 Ep02	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-pX55_cn00&list=PLAIMatuEtrNY&index=2
Stunning footage of the construction of New York’s Empire State Building	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdDECW5FLAM&list=PLAIMatuEtrNY&index=3
Empire State Building Construction	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Cd_mUOuCfg&list=PLAIMatuEtrNY&index=4
Construction Workers on the Chrysler Building	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEk7qXbYDf0&list=PLAIMatuEtrNY&index=5
The Chrysler Building documentary	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8HeDCjWtJ0&list=PLAIMatuEtrNY&index=6
History Summarized: Chicago’s Tribune Tower	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltPU69dWfJA&list=PLAIMatuEtrNY&index=7
The History of The Guardian Building	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi7zeqJpp8I&list=PLAIMatuEtrNY&index=8

Recommended Books:

Author(s)	Title
Carol Willis & Donald Friedman	Building the Empire State
William A. Starrett	Skyscrapers and the Men Who Build Them
Lewis Hine	Men at Work
Alexander Wood	Work in Progress: Construction History in New York and Chicago, 1870-1930
Richard Boyer & Herbert Morais	Labor’s Untold Story
William Z. Foster	The Great Steel Strike and Its Lessons
David Brody	The 1919 Steel Strike
Jeremy Brecher	Strike!
Robert Shogan	The Battle of Blair Mountain
Lon Savage	Thunder in the Mountains
John Sayles	Matewan
David Jay Bercuson	Confrontation at Winnipeg
Jim Blanchard	Winnipeg 1919
Reinhold Kramer & Tom Mitchell	When the State Trembled
Craig Heron	The Workers’ Revolt in Canada, 1917-1925