Veterans of World War II walk the picket lines in Port Arthur, Texas, during OCAW strike at Texaco and Gulf. The strike began on September 19, 1945. Wartime wage gains had not kept pace with inflation and the workers wanted workdays reduced to 8 hours. The Navy seized Texaco on October 6th and Gulf the next day, putting an end to the strikes without any settlement. Under federal pressure, the tow sides finally negotiated and signed contracts several months later.
Courtesy Special Collections Division, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries, Arlington. Account courtesy DR. George N. Green, University o Texas at Arlington.