1948 picket line at Santa Rita open pit mine after Kennecott Copper Corporation refused to negotiate new contract. Wage increases improved working conditions later in 1948. This strike preceded the larger and more well known "Salt of the Earth" strike by Mine, Mill (now USWA) Local 890 against Empire Zinc in Hanover, NM, which began October 17, 1950, and lasted for 15 months. Clinton Jencks was the organizer for both strikes.
Courtesy Clinton Jencks.