Chapter 6
The Depression and a New Deal for Labor 1930 – 1940
The 1930s tested the strength, determination, and resilience of Ironworkers like never before. As the Great Depression swept across North America, construction projects disappeared, unemployment soared, and union membership was cut nearly in half. Yet even in the face of economic despair, Ironworkers refused to surrender the gains won by earlier generations. Through solidarity, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to one another, our members weathered one of the most difficult periods in labor history and emerged stronger than before.
This decade also marked a turning point for working people throughout the United States and Canada. Landmark labor protections such as the Davis-Bacon Act, the Norris-LaGuardia Act, and the Wagner Act established new rights for workers and strengthened collective bargaining across the nation. Ironworkers played an active role in advancing these reforms while simultaneously expanding organizing efforts, developing apprenticeship standards, and protecting the jurisdiction of the trade. Through visionary leadership and aggressive organizing campaigns, the union rebuilt its ranks and laid the foundation for future growth.
Even amid economic hardship, Ironworkers continued to leave an indelible mark on history by constructing some of the most iconic projects ever built, including the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. These achievements demonstrated the unmatched skill, courage, and professionalism of Ironworkers while advancing new standards in safety and training. By the end of the decade, membership was rising, labor protections were stronger than ever, and the union stood prepared to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. The story of the 1930s is not one of defeat, but of perseverance, renewal, and the enduring spirit of Ironworkers who helped build a stronger future for generations to come
Recommended Books:
| Author(s) | Title |
| Robert S. McElvaine | The Great Depression |
| David M. Kennedy | Freedom From Fear |
| Paul Conkin | The New Deal |
| Michael H. Frisch | Working-Class America |
| Richard Boyer & Herbert Morais | Labor’s Untold Story |
| Charles Morris | The Wagner Act: A Study of Labor Relations |
| Kevin Starr | Golden Gate: The Life and Times of America’s Greatest Bridge |
| Donald MacDonald | The Golden Gate Bridge |
| Karen Beller | Building the Golden Gate Bridge |
| Richard Dillon | The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge |
| National Park Service | Spanning the Bay |
| Arthur McEvoy | Public Works: A Dangerous Trade |
| Joseph Stevens | Hoover Dam: An American Adventure |
| John V. Robinson | Al Zampa and the Bay Ara Bridges |
| John V. Robinson and Isabelle Maynard | Bay Area Iron Master |
Historical Sites:
Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco, California
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=Golden+Gate+Bridge
San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge
Built: 1933-1936
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=San+Francisco+Oakland+Bay+Bridge
Empire State Building
New York City
Built: 1930-1931
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=Empire+State+Building
Rockefeller Center
New York City
Built throughout the 1930s.
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=Rockefeller+Center
Hoover Dam
Nevada/Arizona
Built: 1931-1936
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=Hoover+Dam
Bonneville Dam
Oregon
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=Bonneville+Dam
Grand Coulee Dam
Washington
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=Grand+Coulee+Dam
Key Tower Area (Terminal Tower)
Cleveland, Ohio
Completed 1930.
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=Terminal+Tower+Cleveland
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library
Hyde Park, New York
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=FDR+Presidential+Library
Pullman National Historical Park
Chicago
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=Pullman+National+Historical+Park
Haymarket Memorial
Chicago
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=Haymarket+Memorial
Battle of Blair Mountain
West Virginia
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=Blair+Mountain+West+Virginia
National Labor Relations Board Historical Sites
Washington DC
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=National+Labor+Relations+Board+Washington+DC
Royal York Hotel
Toronto
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=Fairmont+Royal+York+Toronto
Sun Life Building
Montreal
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=Sun+Life+Building+Montreal
Jacques Cartier Bridge
Montreal
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=Jacques+Cartier+Bridge+Montreal
Canadian Labour Congress Historical Sites
Ottawa
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=Canadian+Labour+Congress+Ottawa
Winnipeg General Strike Sites
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=1919+General+Strike+Monument+Winnipeg
Video Resources:
