"Great accumulations of wealth cannot be justified on the basis of personal and family security. In the last analysis such accumulations amount to the perpetuation of great and undesirable concentration of control in a relatively few individuals over the employment and welfare of many, many others."
Source Delegates from several East Coast cities meet in convention to form the National Trades' Union, uniting craft unions to oppose "the most unequal and unjustifiable distribution of the wealth of society in the hands of a few individuals." The union faded after a few years - 1834 President Franklin Roosevelt's Wealth Tax Act increases taxes on rich citizens and big business, lowers taxes for small businesses - 1935 OSHA publishes scaffold safety standard, designed to protect 2.3 million construction workers and prevent 50 deaths and 4,500 injuries annually - 1996 Compiled/edited by Union Communication Services and Today in Labor History The Metro Washington Council's Community Services Agency reports that union members affiliated with the Texas AFL-CIO are participating in rescue and relief efforts as Hurricane Harvey, a storm of historic proportions, continues to threaten the lives and property of working people in Texas in the biggest natural disaster they've ever faced. "The state labor federation and our affiliates, including the Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation and Central Labor Councils across the state, are beginning to assess how and where we can help," says Texas AFL-CIO president John Patrick. "We cannot make anyone whole, but our movement can send a message of solidarity, a message that we are with working people badly harmed by Hurricane Harvey in heart, in soul and in spirit." Click here to donate to contribute to the Texas Workers Relief Fund. A "Back to School Highland Community Transit Day" this Saturday sponsored by ATU Local 689 and Teamsters Local 922 kicks off this weekend's Labor Day events. The event features free school supplies, giveaways of SmartTrip cards, a DJ and music and entertainment for kids, plus burgers, hot dogs, chips and drinks. There will also be a voter registration table. "Join Metro workers, the local community and Metro riders for this back-to-school event where we will continue to stand together and fight for a safe, affordable and reliable Metro system," says Local 689 president Jackie Jeter. 12pm – 2pm at Wheeler Rd and Mississippi Ave SE; details here. |