Welcome all our new readers at the Center for American Progress and the EPI, members of IFPTE 70! Help build Union City to 50,000 readers in 2017; pass along your copy and/or this easy sign-up link.
Seafarers’ role in ‘48 Stock Exchange strike: “A little piece of SIU history in your historic photo of the day (3/29 Labor History),” writes Dan Duncan at the Seafarer’s union. “Look behind the cops and you will see a couple of men wearing ‘white caps.’ Seafarers stood between the striking female workers (whose union eventually became OPEIU) and the police during the 'Battle of Wall Street.' Many SIU members took cracks on the head from the cops’ night sticks to protect the striking females. The officers would try to go after a bleeding white cap, but our members loaded those clubbed into nearby station wagons and placed the wounded mariners on ships sailing out of NY harbor where they healed. Meantime, new ‘white caps’ would step in to take the place of those clubbed.” OPEIU president Richard Lanigan notes that the 1948 strike was “an important event in OPEIU history,” and adds “Incidentally, we still represent a bargaining unit at the Exchange.” Also check out this Huffington Post report on the strike. Return of the Yellow Dogs: “Yellow Dog contracts (Today in Labor History 3/23 UC) have been back in vogue for quite some time, just smarter,” writes UC reader Jim Bertolone, President of APWU Local 215 in Rochester, NY. “Whether Wegman's or major retailers , they ask a number of psychological questions on employment applications to create a profile to determine if a prospective employee would be inclined to join a union . Sometimes they ask outright for one's feelings on unions.” The Gold Standard: “For the past several years, and without hesitation or solicitation, I have repeatedly told everyone interested in labor news that Union City --which comes out every weekday morning -- is the best in the business and the gold standard,” writes Roger Toussaint, former president of Transport Workers Union Local 100 in New York City. “In fact, on several occasions, I have forwarded your publication to friends and labor leaders with whom I am in contact abroad, as a model to be guided by. Go Union City!” Chicago stockyard workers win 8-hour day - 1918 At the height of the Great Depression, 35,000 unemployed march in New York’s Union Square. Police beat many demonstrators, injuring 100 - 1930 The federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act is enacted - 1970 Harry Bridges (left), Australian-born dock union leader, dies at age 88. He helped form and lead the Int’l Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) for 40 years. A Bridges quote: “The most important word in the language of the working class is ‘solidarity’” – 1990 Leaders of the Screen Actors Guild announce that the membership has voted to merge with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, creating the 150,000-member SAG-AFTRA - 2012 Compiled/edited by Union Communication Services |