From the poem by James Oppenheim, published in the IWW newspaper Industrial Solidarity on April 27, 1911, and performed here by Queen Cee: As we go marching, marching We bring the greater days For the rising of the women Means the rising of the race No more the drudge and idler Ten that toil where one reposes But the sharing of life's glories Bread and roses, bread and roses Click here to check out this week's Labor History Today podcast. On this week’s show: Fifty years ago, Reverend Ralph David Abernathy and 100 others were arrested while picketing a hospital in Charleston, South Carolina in a demand for union recognition. Charleston was – and still is -- a notoriously difficult place to organize, and our guest Leon Fink says it “stirred the soul of the whole city.” Matthew Hild and Keri Leigh Merritt’s new book, “Reconsidering Southern Labor History,” explores the nexus of race, class and power in the history of labor in the South, and how a new generation of southern labor scholars are changing our understanding of labor's past, present and future in the region. Beth English talked with Keri Leigh and Matthew on a recent episode of the Working History podcast. April 26 The U.S. House of Representatives passes House Joint Resolution No. 184, a constitutional amendment to prohibit the labor of persons under 18 years of age. The Senate approved the measure a few weeks later, but it was never ratified by the states and is still technically pending - 1924 On the orders of President Roosevelt, the U.S. Army seizes the Chicago headquarters of the unionized Montgomery Ward & Co. after management defies the National Labor Relations Board - 1944 April 27 First strike for 10-hour day, by Boston carpenters - 1825 President Dwight Eisenhower signs Executive Order 10450: Security Requirements for Government Employment. The order listed “sexual perversion” as a condition for firing a federal employee and for denying employment to potential applicants - 1953 A cooling tower for a power plant under construction in Willow Island, West Virginia collapses, killing 51 construction workers in what is thought to be the largest construction accident in U.S. history. OSHA cited contractors for 20 violations, including failures to field test concrete. The cases were settled for $85,000—about $1,700 per worker killed - 1978 April 28 Coal mine collapses at Eccles, W.Va., killing 181 workers - 1914 A total of 119 die in Benwood, W.Va., coal mine disaster - 1924 Congress creates OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The AFL-CIO sets April 28 as “Workers Memorial Day” to honor all workers killed or injured on the job every year - 1971 First “Take Our Daughters to Work Day,” promoted by the Ms. Foundation, to boost self-esteem of girls with invitations to a parent’s workplace - 1993 Labor history courtesy Today In Labor History. click here for latest listings Union City Radio: 7:15a; WPFW-FM 89.3 Union City Radio: Your Rights at Work: Thu, April 25, 1pm – 3pm WPFW 89.3 FM or listen online Guests: Roberta Lenoir, nurse (president, DCNA/UMC bargaining unit); Liz Davis, WTU 6 president; David Bayne, Ashcraft & Gerel partner; Mark Gruenberg, PAI News Rally to Fund Our Future (WTU 6): Thu, April 25, 4pm – 6pm Freedom Plaza Pennsylvania Ave. NW—across from the Wilson Building IS YOUR SCHOOL FACING CUTS? Take Action Now! Let’s tell Councilmembers they must fully fund our neighborhood public schools. Sign the Petition for full funding. UPCOMING The Corporate Coup D’État (film): Fri, April 26, 6:15pm & Sat, April 27, 8:30pm Landmark's E Street Cinema, 555 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20004 Part of Filmfest DC: Buy tickets here In Person: Director Fred Peabody, Executive Producer Jeff Cohen and The Intercept investigative journalist Lee Fang Townhall: DC Healthcare Crisis: Sat, April 27, 2pm – 4pm UMC United Medical Center 1310 Southern Ave SE, Washington, District of Columbia 20032 RSVP on Facebook here In schools across DC yesterday, teachers and students held sign-making parties to get ready for today’s big rally (see above for details) sponsored by the Washington Teachers' Union. In addition to educators, parents, students, community leaders and local union members, national and international guests are expected to add their voices to the demand that the DC mayor and City Council fully fund DC’s public schools. “If we exercise our collective power we can convince the DC Council to amend the proposed DCPS budget so that it fully funds our schools!” said WTU. photos: Anacostia High teachers make rally signs; photo from WTU’s Facebook page |