Today's Labor History

​Click here to check out this week's Labor History Today podcast. On this week’s show: Labor lawyer Matt Fusco on Scabby, the giant inflatable union protest rat, which is facing extermination at the hands of the Trump labor board. Gregory Wood, author of “Clearing the Air: The Rise and Fall of Smoking in the Workplace,” and a special LHT remix of the labor classic “Which Side Are You On?”

August 16
Homer Martin, early United Auto Workers leader, born in Marion, Ill. - 1902

Congress passes the National Apprenticeship Act, establishing a national advisory committee to research and draft regulations establishing minimum standards for apprenticeship programs. It was later amended to permit the Labor Dept. to issue regulations protecting the health, safety and general welfare of apprentices, and to encourage the use of contracts in their hiring and employment - 1937

August 17
Union employees strike The Los Angeles Times in an unsuccessful attempt to unionize all staff. - 1883

IWW War Trials in Chicago, 95 go to prison for up to 20 years - 1918

Year-long Hormel meatpackers' strike begins in Austin, Minn. - 1985

August 18
Radio station WEVD, named for Eugene V. Debs, goes on the air in New York City, operated by The Forward Association as a memorial to the labor and socialist leader - 1927

Founding of the American Federation of Government Employees, following a decision by the National Federation of Federal Employees (later to become part of the Intl. Assn. of Machinists) to leave the AFL - 1932

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