Today in Labor History Feb 26, 118 died, 5,000 were left homeless Co. said it was "an Act of God."

[Omaha Steve]

February 26

February 26, 1802 - Novelist Victor Hugo was born. "An invasion of armies can be resisted," he said, "but not an idea whose time has come."

Congress okays the Contract Labor Law, designed to clamp down on "business agents" who contracted abroad for immigrant labor. One of the reasons unions supported the measure: employers were using foreign workers to fight against the growing U.S. labor movement, primarily by deploying immigrant labor to break strikes - 1885

Bethlehem Steel workers strike for union recognition, Bethlehem, Penn. - 1941

A coal slag heap doubling as a dam in West Virginia’s Buffalo Creek Valley collapsed, flooding the 17-mile long valley. 118 died, 5,000 were left homeless. The Pittston Coal Co. said it was "an Act of God." - 1972

A 20-week strike by 70,000 Southern California supermarket workers ends, with both sides claiming victory - 2004

Labor history found here: http://www.unionist.com/today-in-labor-history & here: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?history_9_02_26_2011

[bajamary]

1. thanks

It's good to know some union history, especially now.

Thanks.

[Petrushka]

2. K & R + links to more info and photos re: Buffalo Creek disaster --->

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x512676

[1776Forever]

3. Here's a link to the story of Buffalo Creek, WV: Clutching Lifeless Body Of Son, Moments Of Clarity

SUNNY CAL JOURNAL - Buffalo Creek: Clutching Lifeless Body Of Son, Moments Of Clarity
(02/26/2011)

http://www.hurherald.com//cgi-bin/db_scripts/articles?Action=user_view&db=hurheral_articles&id=2268

By Bob Weaver 2002
"Power is poison" - Henry Adams

I started writing this column because my friend, Charleston Daily Mail columnist Dave Peyton recently commented about defining moments in his life, more particularly the Buffalo Creek disaster which left 118 dead, seven forever missing, 1,100 injured and 4,000 homeless.

(more at link)