Labor History in 2:00

November 8 - The New Orleans General Strike

On this day in Labor History the year was 1892. That was the day that black and white workers in New Orleans began what is considered the first integrated general strike in United States history. The strike began when the New Orleans Board of Trade refused to enter into an agreement with the Teamsters Union because it included black members. 

November 7 - The Death of Boulware but not Boulwarism

On this day in Labor History the year was 1990. That was the day that Lemuel Ricketts Boulware died.  Boulware had a notorious reputation with labor leaders. He was the Vice President for employee relations for General Electric during the 1950s. 

November 6 - Lincoln Stands with Labor

On this day in Labor History the year was 1860. That was the day that Abraham Lincoln was elected sixteenth President of the United States. When Lincoln came to office the nation was deeply divided on the question of slavery. By December 20, South Carolina had seceded from the United States.  

November 5 - Birth of a Labor Giant

On this day in Labor History the year was 1855. That was the day that Eugene Debs was born in Terre Haute, Indiana.  Debs was forced to leave school when he was just fourteen.  He worked as a railroad fireman.  

November 4 - No Milk Today!

Got milk?  If you lived in Neillsville, Wisconsin the answer might have been NO. On this day in labor history the year was 1933.  Wisconsin is known as the dairy state.

November 3 - The Streets Run Wild with Milk

On this day in Labor History the year was 1921. That was the day the New York Times headline proclaimed:  “Striker Rioting All Over the City, Dump Thousands of Gallons of Milk; Hylan Threatens to Seize plants.”  Hylan referred to New York City Mayor John Francis Hylan.  

November 2 - Murdered on the Pier

On this day in Labor History the year was 1928. That was the day that police shot at protesting union workers at Prince’s Pier in Melbourne Australia. Three union workers were injured, one fatally. 

November 1 - America’s First General Strike

On this day in Labor History the year was 1835. That was the day that workers in Philadelphia organized what was the first general strike in North America. There call was for a ten-hour workday. 

October 31 - Mount Rushmore

On this day in Labor History the year was 1941. That was the day that the completed Mount Rushmore monument was dedicated in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The monument portrays massive sculptures of U.S. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt hewn into the side of a mountain.  

October 30 - Another Front in Reagan’s War on Workers

On this day in Labor History the year was 1986. That was the day that Edward Meese, gave a speech to the US Chamber of Commerce. Meese was serving as Attorney General under President Ronald Reagan. During the speech, Meese encouraged bosses to spy on their employees, in order to determine if they were using drugs.