This website commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Portland laundry workers’ strike of 1919. Since its inception in 2009, Yale Union has been compiling an archive of articles, images, and documents related to the history of its historic building and its role in the laundry strike. This website makes public this decade-long project to commemorate the strike centennial. For more information, continue reading here…
Timeline
Laundry Strike Timeline

Oregon passes law limiting working hours to 10 per day for women
The Oregon Bureau of Labor is created in 1903, establishing…more
Industrial Workers of the World union founded
The Industrial Workers of the World is founded in Chicago,…more

“Test the Ten Hour Law: Its Application to Laundress is Argued in Court”
The decision of Curt Muller, proprietor of Grand Laundry in…more
Invention of the Electric Washing Machine
The first electric washing machine, "The Mighty Thor," was built…more

“Hours of Labor for Women”– Muller v. Oregon goes to the Supreme Court
"Curt Muller vs. State of Oregon," a case waiting the…more
Muller v. Oregon upholds Oregon law restricting working hours for women workers
The U.S. Supreme court rules that Curt Muller was in…more
Yale Laundry built by founder Charles F. Brown Opens
After opening industrial laundries in Superior, Wisconsin and Duluth, Minnesota,…more

“Quick Delivery Gains: Laundry Companies Praise Auto Truck System”
The involvement of drivers into the workflow of the industrial…more

The Industrial Welfare Commission of Oregon publishes its report on power laundries in Portland
Caroline Gleason’s 1914 report on the power laundries of Portland…more

“Laundry Workers Give Dance Tonight”
Dances were often held by unions to recruit members and…more

Oregonian Classifieds: “Wanted—Strong girl…”
“Wanted—Strong girl for starch and dry room; $10 to $11:…more

“The Bolsheviki Spirit” (Editorial from Laundry Owners)
One of the tactics Laundry owners employed in their attempts…more