Today in Labor History

On this date in 1879, populist humorist Will Rogers (right) was born. 
 
In 1933, some 3,000 dairy farmers demonstrated in Neillsville, Wisconsin, ultimately leading to the freeing of jailed leaders of a milk strike over low prices set by large dairy plants. Tons of fresh milk were dumped on public roads, trains carrying milk were stopped, and some cheese plants were bombed during the fight.
 
And in 1996, after a struggle lasting more than two years, 6,000 Steelworkers members at Bridgestone/Firestone won a settlement in which strikers displaced by scabs got their original jobs back. The fight started when management demanded that the workers accept 12-hour shifts.
- compiled/edited by David Prosten at Union Communication Services

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