Remember Traingle Shirtwaist!

[democraticrevolution]

The Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire, was one of the worst industrial disasters of the twentieth century. It happened right here in New York City on March 25, 1911. It was the result of allowing the corporate elitists to have full control over the working people, especially women. The company employed 500 employees mostly immigrant female workers who worked fourteen hour days. This is what happens when you allow companies to rule over the workers. This is what happens when people forget that the workers of the country, and of the world must unite. Labor desperately needs to be returned to prominence in the twenty-first century. There are too many companies now like Walmart who refuse to allow employees to organize. They pay them the lowest wages legally possible, and do not provide medical benefits. I've heard that many employees have to rely on the state and federal government programs for healthcare. I believe that some even use food stamps. There were even reports of locking employees in over night! Whatever comes of the AFL-CIO possible break up, there has to be a new movement ready to take up the worker's cause in the new century.

Remember Triangle Shirtwaist!

[KingFlorez]

1. And the Repukes would cause that today

With their so-called pro business stance, they are walking all over the workers.

[DemFromMem]

2. von Drehle book

I read the book Triangle: The Fire That Changed America by reporter David Von Drehle recently. It's a superb book that not only told the story of the fire, but how the workers' left a legacy that resulted in many of the workplace safety standards we take for granted today.

I live in Tennessee, but a few months back I was in New York and went to the building where the disaster occurred. It's now a part of the NYU campus (one of the science buildings). There's a very small plaque noting the building's sad history. I was disappointed that this was all that is left to mark the passing of all those young women. Until 9/11 it was the worst worksite disaster in New York City history and it was totally preventable.

[tuvor]

3. Got links?

I'd love for it all to be true, but at least a couple of these sound potentially dubious. What are your sources for your claims that...

They pay them the lowest wages legally possible
They do not provide medical benefits.
Many employees have to rely on the state and federal government programs for healthcare.
Some even use food stamps.
There were even reports of locking employees in over night!

TIA.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

4. There's plenty of evidence to back up the OP's claim

Do you use google? Or you can search the archives on DU. There's plenty of info.

[tuvor]

5. I'm sure you're right.

For me, when I post things like this, I include my sources in my post the first time. Just a courtesy, since I don't think I should make others re-do the research I've already done.

Or maybe it's all just common knowledge that I've missed.

What do I know? I'm just a grumpy old man. ;)

[Kathy in Cambridge]

6. Oh, I understand. Plus you're from Canada.

:-) so you probably didn't catch Bill Moyers NOW program on Walmart. Here are some links:

http://www.dsausa.org/lowwage/walmart/2004/Workers%20Assail%20Night%20Lock-Ins.html

http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2004/08/02_walmart.shtml

http://walmartwatch.com/

http://www.aflcio.org/corporatewatch/walmart/index.cfm

http://edworkforce.house.gov/democrats/WALMARTREPORT.pdf

[tuvor]

9. Thanks for the links, KiC.

I'm nursing the onset of a cold, and I know I won't be able to do more than scan these, but thank you for the follow-up.

[two gun sid]

7. Here's a pretty good link...

It's a speech one of the investigators made many years after the Inquiry. The website also gives a good history of the fire and it's causes. It's a lesson plan for high school history students but still enlightening.

http://urbandreams.ousd.k12.ca.us/lessonplans/triangle/s_file13.htm

Walmart info at this website:

http://www.ufcw.org/index.cfm

[senseandsensibility]

8. God bless all the workers who died

Workers of the world unite! I will remember this and try to post something about it on the next Labor Day.

[jim3775]

10. The sad thing is, something like this happens once or twice a year...

in sweatshops around the world.

[Bozita]

11. In 1991, 25 workers died in a chicken processing plant fire - doors locked

Exit doors were chained to prevent some workers from stealing a chicken.

Things haven't changed all that much in some industries.

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/kinstonfire/v-all_headlines/story/1260033p-7375142c.html

Published: Feb 6, 2003
Modified: May 24, 2004 2:35 PM

Fire at Hamlet chicken-processing plant kills 25 (9/4/1991)

By JULIE POWERS RIVES AND TOM MATHER, STAFF WRITERS

HAMLET -- Trapped workers pounded on blocked doors and fled into freezers to escape flames that roared through a Richmond County chicken-processing plant Tuesday, killing at least 25 and injuring 49 others.

A processing area of Imperial Food Products was turned into an inferno when giant grease-filled vats fired by natural gas were ignited when a hydraulic line ruptured. The result was the worse workplace tragedy since state records began in 1970.

Most of the dead -- about three-fourths of them women -- died of smoke inhalation rather than of burns, said Fred D. McQueen of Hamlet, the first doctor at the fire scene.

Many victims were found near doorways, where they tried unsuccessfully to escape the flames and smoke.

Sam L. Breeden, who was walking past the plant when he saw the fire, said he had heard trapped workers inside. "They were screaming 'Let me out.' They were beating on the door. The people could not force the door open."

more...

[burrowowl]

14. And this in the U$ of A!

When is Labor going to wake up!
Oh! I forgot everyone can become a millionaire in the U$ and therefore would not want to put the virtual million dollars in jeopardy by golly!

:grr:

[HockeyMom]

12. My Gandma told me the story

and showed me the building when I was a kid. She lived in the area when she was a young girl and knew a 15 year girl who died there.

Sad.

[11cents]

13. My great-aunt worked there as a teenager

...but wasn't at work on the day. That's what my mom told me, anyway.

[Lannes]

15. I remember watching this movie about it in high school

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0009Z0W6S/qid=1122011267/sr=8-3/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i3_xgl27/104-0381863-4438338?v=glance&s=video&n=507846

It was a TV movie.Probably some better documentaries out there.But its available at amazon if you are interested.

[earth mom]

16. Thanks for posting this thread...

I well remember learning about this tragedy years ago. What amazes me today is how the corruption of a 100 or so years ago has come back to haunt us and harm us again. The robber barons are out in full force.

And we, the people, haven't learned a damn thing have we?

[Lorien]

17. Ugh. I saw a documentary on that-it was horrific

the photos of the women jumping to their deaths and the bodies piled on the street-I was reminded of it later on 9/11.All because they were LOCKED IN and forced to work outrageous hours. Yes, if the modern day robber barons continue their abuses of workers, we might be lead right back to 1911. America, after all, is now a country of the rich, by the rich, and for the rich.