Today's Labor History

Click here to check out this week's Labor History Today podcast, featuring The Memorial Day Massacre, striking Walt Disney animators, and the Labor History Object of the Week (UFW banner).

The Ladies Federal Labor Union Number 2703, based in Illinois, was granted a charter from the American Federation of Labor. Women from a wide range of occupations were among the members, who ultimately were successful in coalescing women’s groups interested in suffrage, temperance, health, housing and child labor reform to win state legislation in these areas - 1888
 
Union Carpenters win a 25¢-per-day raise, bringing wages for a 9-hour day to $2.50 - 1898
 
Congress passes the Erdman Act, providing for voluntary mediation or arbitration of railroad disputes and prohibiting contracts that discriminate against union labor or release employers from legal liability for on-the-job injuries - 1898
 
Nearly 3,500 immigrant miners begin Clifton-Morenci, Ariz., copper strike - 1903
 
Some 12,500 longshoremen strike the Pacific coast, from San Diego to Bellingham, Wash. Demands included a closed shop and a wage increase to 55¢ an hour for handling general cargo - 1916
 
As many as 60,000 railroad shopmen strike to protest cuts in wages - 1922
 
Extinguishing the light of hope in the hearts and aspirations of workers around the world, the Mexican government abolishes siestas—a mid-afternoon nap and work break which lengthened the work day but got people through brutally hot summer days - 1944

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Farm workers under the banner of the new United Farm Workers Organizing Committee strike at Texas’s La Casita Farms, demand $1.25 as a minimum hourly wage - 1966
 
Dakota Beef meatpackers win 7-hour sit-down strike over speed-ups, St. Paul, Minn. - 2000
 
General Motors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The filing made the automaker the largest U.S. industrial company to enter bankruptcy protection. It went on to recover thanks to massive help from the UAW and the federal government - 2009
Compiled/edited by Union Communication Services

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