Labor History in 2:00

March 22 - Mark Twain Speaks to the Power of Workers

At some time during your life you’ve probably read a book or heard a story by Mark Twain. 

But did you know that this renowned American author was also a strong supporter of labor? 

In 1835 he was born Samuel Clemens in town of Hannibal, Missouri.  

March 21 - WTUL Leader Alice Henry is Born

On this day in Labor History the year was 1857.  Labor activist, Alice Henry was born in Melbourne, Australia.

Alice originally went to work as a teacher, but then found her true calling as a journalist.

She wrote in support of the day’s progressive causes, including care for dependent children, labor reform, and women’s rights.  

March 20 - Police Attack Women Sit-Downers

On this day in Labor History the year was 1937.  Three hundred police men waited outside the Bernard Schwartz Cigar Factory in Detroit, MI. 

They were there to break up the peaceful sit down strike going on inside the Cigar plant.  During the winter and spring of 1937, Detroit had seen a wave of sit down strikes.  

March 19 - FDR Creates National Defense Mediation Board

Is it unpatriotic to go on strike when the nation is at war?  What if your workplace is in an industry critical to the war effort?  On this day in Labor History the year was 1941.

The world was at embroiled in the Second World War, and increasingly it seemed as if the United States would soon join the fighting.  

March 18 - NYC Postal Workers Touch Off Historic Strike

On this day in Labor History the year was 1970.  This was the day postal workers walked off the job in New York City.  The strike caught many by surprise.

The workers had not received a raise since 1967 and were not permitted by law to engage in collective bargaining. 

March 17 - Cesar Chavez Begins Historic March

On this day in Labor History the year was 1966.  This is the day Chicano labor organizer, Cesar Chavez started a 340 mile march from Delano to Sacramento, California for the rights of farm workers. 

The action had actually started the year before, in 1965.  Filipino farm workers had gone strike against grape growers in California.

March 16 - The New York UFT is Founded

Albert Shanker was fed up.  Mr. Shanker taught math at a junior high in in Astoria, Queens.  He and his colleagues felt they were underpaid and not respected.  The assistant principal of the school even spied on their classrooms with binoculars! 

March 15 - The Painters Union is Founded

On this day in Labor History the year was 1887.  This was the day the International Brotherhood of Painters and Decorators of America got their start issuing their first charter. John Elliot led the founding meeting.

March 14 - Salt of the Earth Premiers

On this day in Labor History the year was 1954, marking the opening of the powerful labor film, “Salt of the Earth.” 

“Salt of the Earth” told the story of striking Chicano miner members of the International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers Local 890 against the Empire Zinc mine in New Mexico. 

March 13 - Remembering Susan B. Anthony

On this day in Labor History the year was 1906.  That was the day the world lost a great champion of woman’s and worker’s rights, Susan B. Anthony. 

Born in 1820 in Massachusetts to a Quaker family, Susan B. Anthony is most well-known for her tireless campaign to secure the right to vote for women.