Tighe is the “ancient” president of the American Federation of Labor’s (AFL) Amalgamated Association (AA). He is a disinterested organizer who balks at any attempt by steel workers to organize independently outside of the AA’s approval. When rank-and-file delegates attempt to organize the steel industry, Tighe revokes their charters and accuses steelworkers of covert Bolshevism.
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Tighe Character Timeline in Out of This Furnace
The timeline below shows where the character Tighe appears in Out of This Furnace. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 4, Dobie: Chapter 7
Organizing efforts experience another setback when Tighe, the “ancient” president of the Amalgamated Association (AA) expels striking workers from the Weirton lodges....
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Part 4, Dobie: Chapter 8
...help to the renegade union delegates. Incensed at the delegates’ decision to undermine his authority, Tighe withdraws all AA organizers and leaves the rebellious lodges to fend for themselves.
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...is hiring strike-breakers and guards, buying ammunition, and dusting off supplies from the 1919 strike. Tighe calls a special convention to ward off the strike. He enlists the help of the...
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Part 4, Dobie: Chapter 11
...collapse of the strike movement, union membership drops significantly throughout the steel towns. In October, Tighe reports that only about 5,000 workers are still paying their union dues. Behind those numbers...
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Tighe’s behavior reaches noted labor organizer John L. Lewis, who considers the need to form a...
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