Today in Labor History Jan 1, 14 million unemployed, national income down by 50% & breadlines, NAFTA

[Omaha Steve]

January 1

Women weavers form union, Fall River, Mass - 1875

John L. Lewis is elected president of the United Mine Workers. Fifteen years later he is to be a leader in the formation of what was to become the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) - 1920

With the Great Depression in full force, the year 1932 opens with 14 million unemployed, national income down by 50%, breadlines that include former shopkeepers, businessmen and middle-class housewives. Charity is overwhelmed: only one-quarter of America’s unemployed are receiving any help at all - 1932

Workers begin to acquire credits toward Social Security pension benefits. Employers and employees became subject to a tax of one percent of wages on up to $3,000 a year - 1937

Adolph Strasser, head of the Cigar Maker’s Union and one of the founders of the AFL in 1886, died on this day in Forest Park, Ill. - 1939

Members of the Transport Workers Union and Amalgamated Transit Union working for the New York transit system begin what is to be a successful 12 day strike. Fiery TWU leader Mike Quill, jailed for several days during the strike, then hospitalized, died three days after his release from the hospital - 1966

And this: January 1, 1966 - In New York City, 35,000 members of the Transport Workers Union and the Amalgamated Transit Union shut down 135 miles of subway and 2,200 buses. The strike's impact was felt around the world; business losses were enormous. A settlement was reached on January 13, but only after several union officers, including the ailing TWU President Mike Quill, were arrested and jailed. Quill died a few days later and his funeral was held at St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Railway Patrolmen’s International Union merges with Brotherhood of Railway, Airline & Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express & Station Employees - 1969

The federal minimum wage increases to $2.65 per hour - 1978

International Typographical Union, nation’s oldest union, merges with Communications Workers of America - 1987

United Furniture Workers of America merges with Int’l Union of Electronic, Electrical, Technical, Salaried & Machine Workers to become International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine & Furniture Workers - 1987

National Association of Broadcast Employees & Technicians merges with Communications Workers of America - 1994

International Union of Allied & Industrial Workers of America merges with United Paperworkers International - 1994

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) takes effect, over objections of labor - 1994

Mechanics Educational Society of America merges with United Automobile Workers - 1997

Bakery, Confectionery & Tobacco Workers Int’l Union merges with American Federation of Grain Millers to form Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers & Grain Millers Int’l Union - 1999

Labor history found here: http://www.unionist.com/today-in-labor-history & here: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?history_9_01_1_2010

[midnight]

1. Thanks to all the Mike Quills....

January 1, 1966 - In New York City, 35,000 members of the Transport Workers Union and the Amalgamated Transit Union shut down 135 miles of subway and 2,200 buses. The strike's impact was felt around the world; business losses were enormous. A settlement was reached on January 13, but only after several union officers, including the ailing TWU President Mike Quill, were arrested and jailed. Quill died a few days later and his funeral was held at St. Patrick's Cathedral.

[endless october]

2. yeah, that NAFTA thing sure worked out awesome, didn't it?

k/r

[dcsmart]

3. K & R