Today in Labor History Sept 20 "The Jungle"—published on this day in 1906 exploitation of workers

September 20


Upton Sinclair, socialist and author of "The Jungle"—published on this day in 1906—born in Baltimore, MD - 1878

And this:
September 20, 1878 - Upton Sinclair was born in Baltimore, Md. Sinclair was the author of the 1906 novel, The Jungle, an indictment of packinghouse employers’ exploitation of workers. The shocking conditions revealed in the book brought about corrective actions including legislation for stricter inspection laws.

According to folklorist John Garst, steel-drivin’ man John Henry, born a slave, outperformed a steam hammer on this date at the Coosa Mountain Tunnel or the Oak Mountain Tunnel of the Columbus and Western Railway (now part of the Norfolk Southern) near Leeds, Ala. Other researchers place the contest near Talcott, W. Va. - 1887

International Hod Carriers, Building & Common Laborers Union of America changes name to Laborers' International Union - 1965

Labor history found here: http://www.unionist.com/today-in-labor-history & here: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?history_9_09_20_2010

i recommend to everyone.

what I am today. There were others, but this was pivotal. The amount of greed and how far it can go, the disregard for workers and the general public in the pursuit of more money, the treatment of those who are most in need. And no one will ever convince me that people are poor because they are lazy. Heartbreaking how hard these people worked.

If you have not read this book yet, put it at the top of your "to read" list.