Today's Labor History

Click here to check out this week's Labor History Today podcast. On this week’s show: Lena Solow on organizing Babeland; Maritime Trades Executive Secretary-Treasurer Dan Duncan on the Seamen’s Act; plus this week’s “Cool things from the George Meany Labor Archives.” Interviews by Patrick Dixon and Alan Wierdak.

Some 6,000 shoemakers, joined by about 20,000 other workers, strike in Lynn, Mass. They won raises, but not recognition of their union - 1860

Three thousand unemployed auto workers, led by the Communist Party of America, braved the cold in Dearborn, Mich., to demand jobs and relief from Henry Ford. The marchers got too close to the gate and were gassed. After re-grouping, they were sprayed with water and shot at. Four men died immediately; 60 were wounded - 1932

Steel Workers Organizing Committee—soon to become the United Steel Workers—signs its first-ever contract, with Carnegie-Illinois, for $5 a day in wages, benefits - 1937

Hollywood writers represented by the Writers Guild of America strike against 200 television and movie studios over residuals payments and creative rights. The successful strike lasted 150 days, one of the longest in industry history - 1988

Musicians strike Broadway musicals and shows go dark when actors and stagehands honor picket lines. The strike was resolved after four days - 2003
 
Labor history courtesy Union Communication Services. 

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