Commemorating the 1919 steel strike: An interview with John Czelen

To mark the centennial of the Steel Strike of 1919, the authors present here an edited transcript of an interview with Monessen resident John Czelen, a local labor leader. In 1973 historian John Bodnar of the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission interviewed him about his memories of the strike. Only five years old at the time, Czelen recalls seeing Coal and Iron Police beat striking members. He also recounts his father's memories of the strike, informed by his own knowledge of labor history. Anthony Serrino, also a Monessen resident, offers his stories. Historian David Witwer presents an overview of the strike, placing the interview in context.