Labor History in 2:00

November 11 - Execution of the Haymarket Martyrs

On this day in Labor History the year was 1887. That was a tragic day for the labor movement. Four men were hung in Chicago for their alleged role in the bombing at a labor rally at the city’s Haymarket Square a year earlier.  In a sensational trial a total of eight men were convicted for Haymarket.

November 10 - The Benevolent Dictator

On this day in Labor History the year was 1933. That was the day that Hormel plant workers in Austin, Minnesota began a sit-down strike. Company head, Jay Hormel, boasted that his company was a benevolent dictatorship. Workers agreed that the company was a dictatorship but not very benevolent.  

November 9 - The CIO is Founded

On this day in Labor History the year was 1935.The Committee for Industrial Organizations was created by eight unions, as part of the American Federation of Labor. United Mine Workers President John L. Lewis was the driving force behind this new committee

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 - Eugene V Debs is Born

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.