Today in Labor History Apr 18 West Virginia coal miners strike, defend selves against National Guard

[Omaha Steve]

April 18


April 18, 1857 - Clarence Darrow, the lawyer who defended Eugene V. Debs and the Wobblies, was born. Darrow also defended teacher John Scopes in the famous "Scopes Monkey Trial" regarding the teaching of evolution in public schools. For more on Darrow and the many cases he tried, go to http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/DARROW.HTM

April 18, 1888 - The 260 female employees of Shotwell, Clerihew & Lothman walked out of the clothing factory in downtown Minneapolis to protest a reduction in their pay. The action was unprecedented in the city and the “striking maidens of 1888” became pioneers for women in the cause of social justice. Read Rhoda Gilman's article about the strike: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_2986


West Virginia coal miners strike, defend selves against National Guard - 1912

After a four-week boycott led by Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., bus companies in New York City agree to hire 200 black drivers and mechanics - 1941

Labor history found here: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?history_9_04_18_2010 & here: http://www.unionist.com/today-in-labor-history

[Altoid_Cyclist]

1. I never realized just how bad the WV Coal Wars were until I saw the Appalachian series on PBS.

Events of the last few weeks make you wonder if we've really progressed much in the last 100 years.

Miners are still being killed for the bottom line of the elite just like they were in the past.

That was probably the best series I've ever seen on PBS.

[stray cat]

2. if you use energy the miners are putting their life on the lines for your benefit

[Altoid_Cyclist]

3. That's one reason that we all should be hoping that people like Blankenship are no longer

allowed to put human life below that of the almighty bottom line.

According to http://www.ilovemountains.org/myconnection/
part of our power supply also comes from MTR mining.

It's a dirty business in more ways than one.