Labor history Aug 31 325,000 unionists gathered in D.C., "Solidarity" workers movement founded, mor

[Omaha Steve]

August 31

John Reed forms the Communist Labor Party in Chicago. The Party’s motto: "Workers of the world unite!" - 1919

10,000 striking miners began a fight at Blair Mountain, W.Va., for recognition of their union, the UMWA. Federal troops were sent in, and miners were forced to withdraw 5 days later, after 16 deaths - 1921

The Trade Union Unity League is founded as an alternative to the American Federation of Labor, with the goal of organizing along industrial rather than craft lines. An arm of the American Communist Party, the League claimed 125,000 members before it dissolved in the late 1930s - 1929


"Solidarity" workers movement founded as a strike coordination committee at Lenin Shipyards, Gdansk, Poland. The strike launched a wave of unrest in the Soviet Union that ultimately led to its dissolution in 1991 - 1980

August 31, 1985 - The Twin Cities P-9 Support Committee brought its first food caravan to Austin, Minnesota, to aid the Hormel strikers. More than 100 tons of food was donated.

325,000 unionists gathered in Washington, D.C. for a Solidarity Day march and rally for workplace fairness and healthcare reform - 1991

And this:
August 31, 1991 - More than 350,000 union members marched in sweltering weather in Washington, D.C., to demand workplace fairness and health care reform. The event was the second Solidarity Day demonstration (the first took place 10 years before, following the PATCO firings).

Detroit teachers begin what is to become a nine day strike, winning smaller class sizes and raises of up to four percent - 1999

Labor history found here: http://www.unionist.com/big-labor/today-in-labor-history & here: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?history_9_08_31_2011