1950Beginning on May 1, 1950, 1400 members of the Gloucester Seafood Workers’ Union went on strike against 17 local fish filleting firms.Economy and Industry, Labor, Maritime & Fishing Industry

Tensions were high for weeks, resulting in fish-laden trucks being stoned by a crowd at the State Fish Pier. First, a fish truck was hijacked on Route 128. A few days later on May 21, 1950, five trucks were stoned by the crowd after crossing the picket lines. Thomas H. Harrington, president of the Gloucester Fisheries Association appeared before the Municipal Council and requested the Council call in the State police to preserve law and order and to allow the trucks to move in and out of the pier safely.