Today in labor history Sept 8 UFW union begins historic 5 year national grape boycott and strike

September 08

September 8, 1909 - Management capitulated to the demands of striking Wobblies in McKees Rock, Pa., and agreed to improve working conditions, hike wages by 15 percent and drop a “pool system” that gave foremen control over each worker’s pay. It was the biggest victory for the IWW (Industrial Workers of the World) to that date.


September 8, 1965 - Farm workers in California, led by Cesar Chavez, launched their first grape boycott. The nationwide campaign lasted five years and ultimately resulted in the first union contract for U.S. farm workers outside of the state of Hawaii. A year after the boycott was launched, Chavez’s organization officially became the United Farm Workers and affiliated with the AFL-CIO.

Some 2,600 Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) workers begin what is to be a successful six-day strike for higher pay and against a two-tier wage system - 1997