June 22

1916: San Francisco Chamber of Commerce publicly endorses the open shop on June 22.

On June 22, 1916, San Francisco's Chamber of Commerce issued its first public endorsement of the open shop—a major statement during a period of intense labor strife in the city. The declaration came amid violent clashes between labor unions and business interests, reflecting the Chamber's alignment with anti-union forces. This endorsement hardened divisions between organized labor and the merchant class, fueling the radical activism and labor militancy that would define San Francisco's industrial relations for decades.

1937: WPA construction projects in San Francisco face scrutiny over procedural compliance.

In June 1937, San Francisco's Works Progress Administration construction initiatives drew official attention when correspondence documented lapses in required procedures. The WPA, a New Deal program employing thousands during the Great Depression, funded major infrastructure and civic projects across the city from 1935 to 1942. These compliance reviews reflected the tension between rapid job creation and maintaining federal oversight standards.