This week’s Labor History Today podcast: Mother Jones and Fannie Sellins. Last week’s show: Scabby The Rat; Smoking at Work; Which Side Are You On? (Encore). August 31 10,000 striking miners began a fight at Blair Mountain, W.Va., for recognition of their union, the UMWA. Federal troops were sent in, and miners were forced to withdraw 5 days later, after 16 deaths - 1921 Solidarity workers movement founded as a strike coordination committee at Lenin Shipyards, Gdansk, Poland. The strike launched a wave of unrest in the Soviet Union that ultimately led to its dissolution in 1991 - 1980 325,000 unionists gathered in Washington, D.C. for a Solidarity Day march and rally for workplace fairness and healthcare reform - 1991 PHOTO QUIZ: Can you name any of the folks in the front line in the photo above? Email us at [email protected]! September 1 A three-week strike in Woonsocket, R.I., part of a national movement to obtain a minimum wage for textile workers, resulted in the deaths of three workers. Ultimately more than 420,000 workers struck nationally - 1934 In Hawaii, some 26,000 sugar workers represented by the Longshoremen’s union begin what is to become a successful 79-day strike that shuts down 33 of the 34 sugar plantations on the islands. The strike brought an end to Hawaii's paternalistic labor relations and impacted political and social institutions throughout the then-territory - 1946 The AFL-CIO creates Working America, a nonpartisan, non-profit organization designed to build alliances among non-union working people - 2003 - David Prosten. click here for complete and latest listings Union City Radio: 7:15am daily WPFW-FM 89.3 FM; click here to hear today's report Wednesdays with Warner: Wed, August 31, 8:15am – 9:15am Windmill Hill Park, 500 South Lee St., Alexandria Induction of The Essential Workers of the Coronavirus Pandemic into the U.S. Department of Labor Hall of Honor: Thu, September 1, 11am – 12pm U.S. Dept of Labor - Frances Perkins Building, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20210 RSVP required; arrive at the 3rd & C streets entrance by 10:30 a.m. to accommodate security screening. Union City Radio: Your Rights at Work: Thu, September 1, 1pm – 2pm WPFW 89.3 FM or listen online. George Mason University Coalition for Worker Rights: Fri, September 2, 12pm – 1pm Volunteer for Sonia Vasquez Luna for Manassas City Council: Saturday, Sep 3, 2022 Sonia Vasquez Luna is a member of the NoVA Labor Executive Board and business manager for LiUNA Local 572. To volunteer to help with door knocking and phone banking, call Xiomara 571-285-8475. On The Air: Click here to catch last week’s Your Rights At Work radio show (WPFW 89.3FM, Thursdays 1-2p); Monopolizing inflation; David Bacon’s wall of photos. “Who got a contract? We got a contract. Who fought? We fought! Who won? We won!” After a five-day strike, and after 468 days at the bargaining table, the AU Staff Union celebrated making history last Friday when they finally won a first contract. The union – members of SEIU Local 500 -- drew support from students arriving back at American University, and the local labor community, as well as area political leaders. It was déjà vu at the Tommy Douglas Conference Center last week. Almost three years to the day, ATU Local 1777-Gaithersburg, MD, reached another strong tentative agreement with Challenger Transportation. The new 3-year agreement improves on their first contract from September 2019 with higher wages, more holidays and vacation, a more secure retirement, and other improvements. As he did three years ago, International President John Costa celebrated the deal with Local 1777 President Patricia Hall and the negotiating team including ATU International Vice President Natalie Cruz, Local 689-Washington, DC, President Raymond Jackson and Recording Secretary Barry Donnie Wilson, who assisted in the contract negotiations. Related story: In Historic Victory, Hampton Roads Via Paratransit Workers Vote to Join ATU Local 1177 |