Strikes and Strife: Sprague in Trouble

At the height of Sprague Electric’s influence, the factory was utterly filled with hard working from North Adams. The efficiency of work was examined, and new practices were implemented to squeeze every ounce of work from each employee. The conditions that these harsh conditions created would be a matter of contention as labor unions gained further leverage against their employers. 

The strike was one of the only means of leverage workers had against their employers, and the workers of Sprague Electric did just that for 10-days outside Sprague Electric. The history of strikes goes all the way back to when a shoe manufacturing company resided in Sprague’s complex in the 19th century (see Other Industries page for more). North Adams citizens have always had a rocky relationship with institutions and have never been afraid to showcase their dissatisfaction with a united strike.