Today in labor history Sept 1 30,000 women from 26 trades marched in Chicago’s Labor Day parade 1903

September 01

30,000 women from 26 trades marched in Chicago’s Labor Day parade - 1903



September 1, 1907 - Walter Reuther, president of the United Auto Workers from 1946 until his death in 1970, was born. President of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) prior to its merger with the American Federation of Labor (AFL), Reuther was an ardent advocate of political action. He said, “There’s a direct relationship between the breadbox and the ballot box, and what the union fights for and wins at the bargaining table can be taken away in the legislative halls.”


A three-week strike in Woonsocket, R.I., part of a national movement to obtain a minimum wage for textile workers, resulted in the deaths of three workers. Over 420,000 workers ultimately struck nationally - 1934

Int’l Metal Engravers & Marking Device Workers Union changed its name to International Association of Machinists - 1956

Boot Shoe Workers’ Union merged with Retail Clerks International Union - 1977

The Journeymen Barbers, Hairdressers and Cosmetologists’ Int’l Union of America merged with United Food & Commercial Workers - 1980

Glass Bottle Blowers’ Association of the United States & Canada merged with Int’l Brotherhood of Pottery & Allied Workers to become Glass, Pottery, Plastics & Allied Workers - 1982

Aluminum, Brick & Clay Workers Int’l Union merged with United Glass & Ceramic Workers of North America to form Int’l Union of Aluminum, Brick & Glass Workers - 1982

Brotherhood of Railway, Airline & Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express & Station Employees changed name to Transportation-Communications Union - 1987

OSHA issues lockout/tagout of hazardous energy sources standard to protect 39 million workers from unexpected startup of machinery; designed to prevent 120 deaths, 50,000 injuries a year - 1989

Coopers International Union of North Amercia merged with Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics & Allied Workers Int’l Union - 1992

The federal minimum wage is increased to $5.15 per hour - 1997

In solidarity!

:dem: