Today in labor history September 17 Susan B. Anthony & more

[Omaha Steve]

September 17

75 workers die in explosion at Allegheny Arsenal, Pittsburgh, Penn. - 1862

At a New York convention of the National Labor Congress, Susan B. Anthony calls for the formation of a Working Women’s Association. As a delegate to the Congress, she persuaded the committee on female labor to call for votes for women and equal pay for equal work. But male delegates deleted the reference to the vote - 1868

One hundred thousand Pennsylvania anthracite coal miners go on strike. Their average annual wage is $250. They are paid by the ton, defined by Pennsylvania as 2,400 pounds but which mine operators have increased to as much as 4,000 pounds - 1900

National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) formed at a convention in Washington, D.C. - 1917

Ninety-eight United Mine Workers of America members and a minister occupy the Pittston Coal Company’s Moss 3 preparation plant in Carbon, Va., beginning a year-long strike. Among other issues: management demands for drastic limitations in health and pension benefits for retired and disabled miners and their dependents and beneficiaries - 1989

[midnight]

1. What a timely post. Michael Moore has driven home the

inadequate use of health care dollars to line the pockets of the executives, and block health care treatments. Women still are not getting equal pay for equal work. Heck if they had to pay stay at home moms what they were worth it would be something to the tune of 128,000. Thanks for posting.