In Florida, Black workers struck for higher wages and shorter workdays.  Unlike the strike in West Virginia, there were no physical conflicts.

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The mill owners having refused to allow the reduction of a day’s work to ten hours, in compliance with the demand of the Labor League, the colored laborers, with preconcerted action, refused to go to work yesterday morning before 7 o’clock—The owners of the mills, determined not to yield, told them that they must continue to work as heretofore, or find other employment.  Both parties stood firm.  

Messrs. Alsop & Clerk went to work at the usual time, with a few colored men in their employ. Messrs. Eppinger, Russell & Co., C. A. Fairchild, A. Wallace and others were occupied as usual the first day of every month, in cleaning boilers and making general repairs. They fired up last night, and will go to work this morning with such help as they have been able to secure.  The mill men do not anticipate any serious interference with their business by the strike.

The Superintendents of the mills claim that the strikers have not heretofore averaged ten hours labor a day, notwithstanding they are required, at this session of the year, to go to work at 6 A.M., and continue, except for dinner, until near sunset; that they do not average more than 8 or 8 1/2 hours in the winter, and from 11 to 12 in the summer. Besides they have a relief of from one to two hours while changing saws, etc., almost daily.  During the day the strikers endeavored to induce the few men who continued work at Clark’s mill to desist, and threatened violence in case they refused. Mr. Clark sent word to the Mayor requesting the protection of the police for his employees, which was promptly granted. Up to the time of going to press no serious disturbance has occurred. A resort to violence is discountenanced by the leaders of the movement.—

Source: Reprinted in Foner, Philip S., and Ronald L. Lewis, eds. Black Worker: A Documentary History, Volume II: The Black Worker During the Era of the National Labor Union. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1978.

Document 4.10.5: “Strike at Saw Mills,” Jacksonville Republican, Florida, June 3, 1873.