Today in Labor History Feb 17 63 sit-down strikers demanding recognition of their union tear gassed

[Omaha Steve]

February 17

February 17, 1906 - "Big Bill" Haywood and two others were arrested on charges they had ordered the murder of former Idaho Governor Frank Stuenenberg. Clarence Darrow mounted a successful defense, telling jurors, "If at the behest of this mob you should kill Bill Haywood, he is mortal, he will die, but I want to say that a million men will grab up the banner of labor where at the open grave Haywood lays it down . . ."

63 sit-down strikers, demanding recognition of their union, are tear gassed and driven from two Fansteel Metallurgical Corp. plants in Chicago. Two years later the U.S. Supreme Court declared sit-down strikes illegal. The tactic had been a major industrial union organizing tool - 1937

Unions at Yale University strike in solidarity with teaching assistants - 1992

Labor history found here: http://www.unionist.com/today-in-labor-history & here: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?history_9_02_17_2011