Today in Labor History: Weekend Edition
February 03
The US Supreme Court rules the United Hatters Union violated the Sherman Antitrust Act by organizing a nationwide boycott of Danbury Hatters of Connecticut – 1908
February 04Thirty-seven thousand maritime workers on the West Coast strike for wage increases – 1937
[In Offensive Bargaining: Negotiating Aggressively in Contract Campaigns, labor lawyer David Rosenfeld shares his arsenal of tactics, contained in this controlled-availability book, to deal with and overcome employers who refuse to bargain in good faith. Rosenfeld, partner in a well-known California labor law firm, has represented unions in negotiations since 1973; here he shows you how to fight fire with fire, and then some. In the UCS bookstore now.]
February 05
In what turns out to be a bad business decision, Circuit City fires 3,900 experienced sales people because they’re making too much in commissions. Sales plummet. Six years later it declares bankruptcy. Duh – 2003
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Cool Labor Site: Building Justice
Building Justice is a partnership of the Painters and Sheet Metal Workers unions, along with home owners. Its goal is to secure Pulte Homes’ active participation in efforts to elevate industry standards across residential construction.
Labor Video: Fear Factory
Comedian John Stewart’s hilarious yet dead-serious look at U.S. manufacturing jobs offshored to China, including 31 cent per hour wages, dormitory roommates who don’t know each others’ names, and nets between factory buildings to catch suicidal workers. You’ll have to put up with a brief ad at the beginning. Click here to watch the video.
