Today in Labor History Feb 16 17-week general strike of 12,000 New York furriers & more

[Omaha Steve]

February 16 (a day late)

Leonora O’Reilly was born in New York. The daughter of Irish immigrants, she began working in a factory at 11, joined the Knights of Labor at 16, and was a volunteer investigator of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911. She was a founding member of the Woman’s Trade Union League - 1870

Diamond Mine disaster in Braidwood, Ill. The coal mine was on a marshy tract of land with no natural drainage. Snow melted and forced a collapse on the east side of the mine, killing 74 - 1883

February 16, 1918 - The first issue of the Minnesota Leader, the newspaper of the state Nonpartisan League, was published. It advocated the organization of farmers and workers and challenged corporations and other powerful interests.

Beginning of a 17-week general strike of 12,000 New York furriers, in which Jewish workers formed a coalition with Greek and African American workers and became the first union to win a five-day, 40-hour week - 1926

Rubber Workers begin sit-down strike at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. - 1936

American Wire Weavers Protective Association merges with United Papermakers & Paperworkers - 1959

Labor history found here: http://www.unionist.com/today-in-labor-history & here: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?history_9_02_16_2011

[gmcheeseman]

1. It's important to remember labor history

This post is very timely considering what is going on in Wisconsin!