Iron Ore Trimmers Wars on the Upper Great Lakes w/ Labor Historian John Beck -- MMM Lecture Series

Iron ore trimmers of the late 1800s worked by hand in gangs to level the cargo dumped into a vessel’s hold. It was dirty, exhausting work that depended on speed and reliability. Trimmers occupied a unique position on the docks, often fighting rival gangs and employers to keep the work in their control. The trimmers of Escanaba and Marquette fought in a series of conflicts local papers dubbed the “trimmer wars," battling with fists, shovels, clubs, and sometimes bullets.
 
About Our Presenters:
 John P. Beck is an Associate Professor Emeritum in the School of Human Resources & Labor Relations at Michigan State University. He previously served as Associate Director of the School, primarily in charge of two of the School's outreach units, the Labor Education Program and Union Management Initiatives. John holds degrees from Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. He worked for five years on the staff of the University of Michigan Labor Studies Center. He has taught labor studies on the community college level in both Oklahoma and Michigan and has taught history and education courses at the university level. John Beck’s grandfather was once a top dockman in Escanaba.