On June 8, 1912, a union of Boston Elevated Railway workers struck in the city of Boston. The Boston Elevated Railway Company had provoked the strike when it fired the union’s top leaders for union activity. The strike consisted of around 3,800 railcar operators and technicians.

The company sent out letters to the city’s voting people saying that they tried to peacefully resolve the situation and therefore prevent a strike in an attempt to garner public support and sympathy during the strike. After the company hired around 2,000 strike breaking scabs, public opinion started to turn towards the union. Soon thousands of people started walking to and from work instead of riding in cars driven by scab workers. Though there was public sympathy and support, this did not stop the brutal treatment of striking workers and sympathizers. Fights and violence would often break out on rail cars between union members and scab workers. Police were guilty of beating strikers and strike supporters.

The case of the Boston Elevated workers eventually went to the State Board of Conciliation and Arbitration which made its decision in favor of the striking workers. The decision was made to reinstate all the striking workers as speedily as possible. The Board found that the union leaders had been fired specifically because of their union activity.