Gas Workers Local 11-6 History | Advocacy Since 1926

Gas workers constructing a pipe in the ground

A History of Service

The Gas Workers Union Local 11-6 was born during the great depression of the 1930s. It was the worst economic crisis our nation had ever seen. Before the 1930’s there were several attempts to form a union by the workers at Laclede Gas but the company was successful in defeating those attempts by the workers by using scab workers. By 1933, the Great Depression was in full swing and 25% of the American workforce was unemployed, and very few workers had unions or were organized. The harsh reality at Laclede Gas for the workers was there was no seniority, no pension, no job security, and no overtime pay established. Many workers had to work 7 days a week and some departments like the Meter Shop had to work piecework. Some of the other workers that were assigned to the street department where they would dig ditches and do heavy work oftentimes without any sort of equipment or machinery. Bill Boys as they were referred to delivered gas bills by hand, door to door because the company did not use the U.S. mail for their delivery. The company used manufactured gas for distribution to its customers. The average wage at Laclede Gas was $1,200 a year or .58 cents an hour. Some of the wages were as low as .35 cents per hour. Times were tough and it was hard to get a job. Laclede Gas would send you home if they had no work which resulted in no pay.

Workers Organize

It was very difficult to organize but the workers at Laclede Gas banded together and formed a Union. In November of 1933, the workers applied for and received a Union charter as an independent union from the AFL (now AFL-CIO). The company refused to recognize the Union and sponsored a company union to undermine the Union formed by the workers. Through the years of 1933 and 1934, there was no progress with the company. The Union struck the company on March 28, 1935. The strike lasted several months and only a few of the Union goals were achieved early on. The main goal sought out by the union recognition was as well as a pay increase. This was a very physical strike with workers being beaten up by company thugs and guards that were hired. This new union had to win this strike and protect their jobs. Many put their life on the line. Out of that strike of recognition of the union, came the union you belong to today.

Gas workers holding a sign detailing the declaration of a strike

The labor agreement we have today is one of the finest in the industry. From 1935 until today a tremendous amount of hard work, contract negotiations, strikes, and even lockouts by the company have all contributed to achieving our firm contract and binding our great union as it is today.

A United Front Standing Together

As an industrial union, all members belong to the same union. In that way, we present a united front to the company. All workers at Laclede Gas and now Spire in the eastern Missouri region are members of Local 11-6. Local 11-6 is a part of the United Steelworkers Union AFL-CIO. Together with each other, we deal with the company as one.

Our union is an integral part of the labor history and community in St. Louis. We fully participate with the Missouri State Utility Workers Conference, the St. Louis Labor Council, Missouri AFL-CIO, and the National AFL-CIO. Since the Gas Workers Union Local 11-6 was first organized we have worked with other unions helping to organize and fight for labor issues. We have produced many leaders in the labor movement from the ranks of Gas Workers Local 11-6. We know we must be active politically since we are employed by a public utility and we know what we win at the bargaining table can be taken away legislatively in Jefferson City. All members are strongly encouraged to be registered and to vote in all municipal, state, and national elections.

We ask all new members to attend the union meetings and to be sworn in. You will always have an opportunity to voice your opinion at the meetings. Your Officers and Shop Stewards are elected by a secret ballot vote. General Elections are held every three years. Every member receives a copy of our labor agreement and a copy of the bylaws. We at the Gas Workers Local 11-6 have a very rich history and encourage every member to be active and knowledgeable as a member of our union.

This is not, by far, a complete history of the Gas Workers Local 11-6 but an overview of some of the facts and events that occurred while the workers struggled to have a say in their working lives through a union as we do each and every day.

History

A History of Service

Workers Organize

A United Front Standing Together

Contact Local 11-6