Today in Labor History: Weekend Edition
October 12
Company guards kill at least eight miners who are attempting to stop scabs, Virden, Ill. Six guards also were killed, and 30 persons wounded – 1898
14 miners killed, 22 wounded by scabherders at Pana, Ill. – 1902
2,000 workers demanding union recognition close down dress manufacturing, Los Angeles – 1933
More than 1 million Canadian workers demonstrate against wage controls – 1976
October 13
American Federation of Labor votes to boycott all German-made products as a protest against Nazi antagonism to organized labor within Germany – 1934
More than 1,100 office workers strike Columbia University in New York City. The mostly female and minority workers win union recognition and pay increases – 1985
[From First Contact to First Contract: Union Organizer’s Handbook is a no-nonsense tool from veteran labor organizer and educator Bill Barry. He looks to his own vast experience to document and help organizers through all the stages of a unionization campaign, from how to get it off the ground to how to bring it home with a signed contract and a strong bargaining unit. In the UCS bookstore now.]
National Basketball Association cancels regular season games for the first time in its 51-year history, during a player lockout. Player salaries and pay caps were primary issue. The lockout lasted 204 days – 1998
Hundreds of San Jose Mercury News newspaper carriers end 4-day walkout with victory – 2000
October 14
International Working People’s Association founded in Pittsburgh, Penn. – 1883
The Seafarers International Union (SIU) is founded as an AFL alternative to what was then the CIO’s National Maritime Union. SIU is an umbrella organization of 12 autonomous unions of mariners, fishermen and boatmen working on U.S.-flagged vessels – 1938
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Cool Labor Site: Workplace Fairness
Workplace Fairness is a non-profit organization that promotes workplace policies and practices that work for everyone. http://www.workplacefairness.org/
Labor Video: Mitt Romney’s Trash
Meet Richard Hayes: he picks up Mitt Romney’s garbage. Click here to watch the video.
