Today in Labor History: Weekend Edition
September 14
The Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel, and Tin Workers union calls off an unsuccessful three-month strike against U. S. Steel Corporation subsidiaries – 1901
Gastonia, N.C. textile mill striker and songwriter Ella Mae Wiggins, 29, the mother of nine, is killed when local vigilantes, thugs and a sheriff’s deputy force the pickup truck in which she is riding off the road and begin shooting – 1929
A striker is shot by a bog owner (and town elected official) during a walkout by some 1,500 cranberry pickers, members of the newly-formed Cape Cod Cranberry Pickers Union Local 1. State police were called, more strikers were shot and 64 were arrested. The strike was lost – 1933
Congress passes the Landrum-Griffin Act. The law expands many of the anti-labor provisions of the Taft-Hartley Act, increasing union reporting requirements and restricting secondary boycotting and picketing – 1959
September 15
Some 5,000 female cotton workers in and around Pittsburgh, Pa. strike for a 10-hour day. The next day, male trade unionists become the first male auxiliary when they gather to protect the women from police attacks. The strike ultimately failed – 1845
President Kennedy signs off on a $900 million public-works bill for projects in economically depressed areas – 1962
More than 350,000 members of the United Auto Workers begin what is to become a 69-day strike against General Motors – 1970
International Association of Siderographers merges with International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers – 1992
September 16
More than 43,000 oil workers strike in 20 states, part of the post-war strike wave – 1945
A player lockout by the National Hockey League begins, leading to cancellation of what would have been the league’s 88th season. The lockout, over owner demands that salaries be capped, lasted 310 days – 2004
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The Farm Labor Organizing Committee wins a signed contract with the Mount Olive Pickle Co. and growers, ending a five-year boycott. The agreement marked the first time an American labor union represented guest workers – 2004
Richard Trumka is elected president of the AFL-CIO at the federation’s convention in Pittsburgh. He had served as the secretary-treasurer under predecessor John Sweeney from 1995 to 2009, and prior to that was president of the United Mine Workers for 13 years – 2009
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Cool Labor Site: Labor Beat
Labor Beat is a Chicago-based non-profit organization which produces and distributes progressive television, radio, video, and computer communications on labor and social issues. http://www.laborbeat.org/lb/index.html
Labor Video: Don’t try this at home!
Required viewing for all Building Trades apprentices… Click here to watch the video.
