Today in Labor History Jan 26, 60,000 layoffs today, as the George W. Bush recession worsens

January 26

In what could be considered the first workers’ compensation agreement in America, pirate Henry Morgan pledges his underlings 600 pieces of eight or six slaves to compensate for a lost arm or leg. Also part of the pirate’s code, reports Roger Newell: shares of the booty were equal regardless of race or sex, and shipboard decisions were made collectively. - 1695

Samuel Gompers, first AFL president, born in London, England. He emigrated to the U.S. as a youth - 1850

The Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America chartered by the AFL – 1897

And this: January 26, 1897 - The Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America was born when it received a charter from the American Federation of Labor to organize "every wage earner from the man who takes the bullock at the house until it goes into the hands of the consumer." The Meat Cutters merged with the Retail Clerks International Union in 1979 to form the United Food and Commercial Workers.

Two day sitdown strike in Brooklyn power plant leads to major organizing in New York subways - 1937

A handful of American companies announce nearly 60,000 layoffs today, as the recession that began during the George W. Bush presidency charges full-tilt toward what has become known as the Great Recession - 2009

Labor history found here: http://www.unionist.com/today-in-labor-history & here: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?history_9_01_26_2010