Today's Labor History

​Plumbers train vets; MoJo goes digital; Click here to check out this week's Labor History Today podcast. On this week’s show: The Plumbers celebrate the 10th anniversary of its Veterans in Piping Program, and Mother Jones goes digital!

August 02
The first General Strike in Canadian history is held in Vancouver, organized as a 1-day political protest against the killing of draft evader and labor activist Albert “Ginger” Goodwin, who had called for a general strike in the event that any worker was drafted against his will - 1918

Hatch Act is passed, limiting political activity of executive branch employees of the federal government. Officially “An Act to Prevent Pernicious Political Activities,” it’s been amended since, to, among other things, remove the prohibition on participation in "political management or political campaigns," though federal employees are still forbidden to run for office in a partisan election, to solicit or receive political contributions, or to engage in political activities while on duty or on federal property - 1939

August 03
Uriah Smith Stephens born in Cape May, N.J. A tailor by trade, in 1869 he led nine Philadelphia garment workers to found the Knights of Labor - 1821

Fighting breaks out when sheriff’s deputies attempt to arrest Wobbly leader Richie “Blackie” Ford as he addressed striking field workers at the Durst Ranch in Wheatland, Calif. Four persons died, including the local district attorney, a deputy and two workers. Despite the lack of evidence against them, Ford and another strike leader were found guilty of murder by a 12-member jury that included eight farmers - 1913

Some 15,000 air traffic controllers strike. President Reagan threatens to fire any who do not return to work within 48 hours, saying they "have forfeited their jobs" if they do not. Most stay out, and are fired August 5 - 1981
August 04

An estimated 15,000 silk workers strike in Paterson, N.J., for 44-hour week – 1919

Nearly 185,000 Teamsters begin what is to become a successful 15-day strike at United Parcel Service over excessive use of part-timers - 1997 

photo: Industrial Workers of the World parading ahead of the "Paterson Pageant" at New York City's Madison Square Garden. The pageant was a recreation of the events of the Patterson, New Jersey, silk workers strike

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