Today in Labor History July 25 Nations first general strike, NYC garment workers win, Change to Win

[Omaha Steve]

July 25

Workers stage a general strike -- believed to be the nation’s first -- in St. Louis, in support of striking railroad workers. The successful strike was ended when some 3,000 federal troops and 5,000 deputized special police killed at least eighteen people in skirmishes around the city - 1877

New York garment workers win closed shop and firing of scabs after 7-month strike - 1890

And this: July 25, 1890 - New York garment workers won the right to unionize after a seven-month strike. They secured agreements for a closed shop and the firing of all scabs.


The Teamsters and Service Employees unions break from the AFL-CIO during the federation's 50th convention to begin the Change to Win coalition, ultimately comprised of seven unions (4 by 2011: SEIU, Teamsters, UFCW and the UFW). They say they want more emphasis on organizing and less on electoral politics - 2005

Labor history found here:http://www.unionist.com/today-in-labor-history & here: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?history_9_07_25_2011