Today in labor history September 01

[Omaha Steve]

September 01

30,000 women from 26 trades marched in Chicago’s Labor Day parade - 1903

Walter Reuther, a founder of the United Auto Workers and president of the Congress of Industrial Organizations when it merged with the AFL in 1955, born - 1907

A three-week strike in Woonsocket, R.I., part of a national movement to obtain a minimum wage for textile workers, resulted in the deaths of three workers. Over 420,000 workers ultimately struck nationally - 1934

Int’l Metal Engravers & Marking Device Workers Union changed its name to International Association of Machinists - 1956

Boot Shoe Workers’ Union merged with Retail Clerks International Union - 1977

The Journeymen Barbers, Hairdressers and Cosmetologists’ Int’l Union of America merged with United Food & Commercial Workers - 1980

Glass Bottle Blowers’ Association of the United States & Canada merged with Int’l Brotherhood of Pottery & Allied Workers to become Glass, Pottery, Plastics & Allied Workers - 1982

Aluminum, Brick & Clay Workers Int’l Union merged with United Glass & Ceramic Workers of North America to form Int’l Union of Aluminum, Brick & Glass Workers - 1982

Brotherhood of Railway, Airline & Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express & Station Employees changed name to Transportation-Communications Union - 1987

Coopers International Union of North Amercia merged with Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics & Allied Workers Int’l Union - 1992

The federal minimum wage is increased to $5.15 per hour - 1997