LABOR HISTORY TIMELINE Compiled by Tom Day & Gene Lawhorn
"Ten thousand times has the labor movement
stumbled and bruised itself. We have been enjoined by the courts, assaulted by
thugs, charged by the militia, traduced by the press, frowned on in public
opinion, and deceived by politicians. But not withstanding all this… labor today
is the most vital and potential power this planet has ever known, and it's
historic mission is as certain of ultimate realization as the setting of the
sun."
Eugene Debs, American Railway Union
1700's
Colonial America - Guild system, Skilled
Masters, journeymen, then apprentices many of whom are indentured servants.
Demand for skilled carpenters is very high, apprentices make twice as much
as English counterparts.
The Carpenters Company of Philadelphia is
founded and publishes a " Book of Prices" which standardizes cost of
construction.
1773
The Ship Carpenters and Culkers of Boston
play a leading role in the Boston Tea Party.
1776
The Constitutional Assembly meets in the
Philadelphia Carpenters Hall on July 4th to sign the U.S. Declaration of
Independence.
1788
Again the Constitutional Assembly meets in
the Philadelphia Carpenters Hall to draft the US Constitution.
1790
The first textile mill is established in
Pawtucket, Rhode Island by Samuel Slater. All the workers are children under
age 12.
1791
The Union of Society Carpenters organize and
strike for a uniform workday from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, and no winter piece
rate work.
1793
Cotton gin invented which speeds up
production of cotton and increases pressure slaves.
1800's "Empire in Wood" by Robert A. Christie
tells us that three basic changes took place from 1791 to 1881 which
influenced the development of Carpenter's unions in the US. (1) A change in
the basic organization of the industry…(2) A widening of the labor
market…(3) An advance in technology.
1806
Eight Philadelphia shoemakers are found
guilty of a criminal conspiracy after striking for higher wages under an old
English common law dating back to 1349 which forced survivors of the black
plague to work for fixed wages.
1814
The Power Loom is invented which takes the
weaving of cloths out of homes and into the factories where women and
children are worked 12 to 16 hrs a day, seven days a week.
1825
The United Textile Workers of New York
conduct the first all women's strike for higher wages. Women are accused of
striking against God and mankind.
In the Carpenter trades the Masters become
employers, journeymen and apprentices respond as employees.
1830
Mary Harris Jones is born in Cork County
Ireland. Emigrates to the US at age 8 with her family. She is the most
controversial labor activist in American History. Becomes popularly know as
" The Miner's Angel" " Mother Jones" and as the " Most Dangerous Woman in
America" She is hired as the first woman organizer by the United Mine
Workers, and her most active years in labor are between the ages of 60 to
100.
1834
The Factory Girls Association is organized in
Lowell, Massachusetts and goes on strike over wages and working conditions.
1840
Under pressure from labor Organizations
President Martin Van Buren signs into law a federal 10 hour workday for
employees on public works.
1848
Pennsylvania enacts a 10 hr workday law.
Women mill workers forced to violate the law riot and attack the factory
gates with axes.
1852
On July 6th born into this world one of the
most dynamic and hard working labor leader Peter J. McGuire.
1859
Iron Moulders Union founded in Philadelphia.
Oregon becomes a State.
1860
April 12th Edmund Ruffin receives the honor
of firing the first shot bringing us the American Civil War.
1863
Emancipation Proclamation issued by President
Abraham Lincoln. The Working Women's Union and the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers founded. The Draft, or Conscription Act is enacted which allows
the rich to pay a $300.00 commutation fee, or for cheaper price they can buy
a replacement to serve for them in the Union Army. Workers throughout the
Nation riot in protest. The Robber Barons, Rockefeller, J Gould, J.P.
Morgan, Philip Armour, James Hill, Andrew Carnegie, and Jim Fisk all opt out
of serving their Country using the Draft act.
1865
Civil War ends, Old Edmund Ruffin who fired
the first shot puts another one into his own head. In the post Civil War
boom construction shoots up 250%
Industrial Revolution wipes out many crafts
replacing them with mass produced goods.
1866
The National Labor Union founded. Headed by
Iron Molder William Sylvis. This was the first permanent National labor
organization in the US. Within a decade the NLU would fade into oblivion due
to it's involvement in monetary reforms, and strict political action.
1867
Shoe factory workers form a union called the
Knights of St. Crispin, who is the patron saint of their craft. By 1870 they
would become the largest labor union in the Nation with over 50,000 members.
1868
The First 8 hour day is granted to workers
employed by the Federal Government. The law has no legal sanctions and
violated with impunity by employers.
1869
The Black National Union is founded by IsaaK
Myers. The Noble and Holy Order of the Knights of Labor is also founded.
First organized as a secret labor society with passwords, and signs to
combat labor spies, and blacklist. They would go on to become one of the
most important historical efforts in labor organization after they dropped
the secret rituals. Originally founded by group of Philadelphia Tailors
under Uriah Stephens they would go on to represent over one million workers
including women, and Blacks from Carpenters to railroad engineers.
1873
One of the first great depressions hits the
Nation as the Jay Cook banking empire Goes bankrupt. Massive unemployment
hits the Nation, and wages are depressed, and many labor unions dissolve as
workers compete for what little jobs remain.
1874
Thousand of unemployed workers march on
Thompson Square in New York City demanding relief. The chief organizer for
this demonstration is a young trade unionist, P.J. McGuire who would go on
seven years later to found the UBC. The marchers are violently attacked by
the police. McGuire is denounced on the Courthouse steps by his Father for
being a radical.
1877
Possibly one of the most important historical
events to take place in US labor History. Ten union coal miners members of
The Workingmens' Benevolent Society were executed in Pottsville, and Mauch
Chunk, Pennsylvania. Nine more would be executed within a year all charged
with murder while being members of a secret Irish society, the Molly
Maguires. These men were also members of a conservative Irish benevolent
society, the Ancient Order of Hibernians. A Pinkerton spy infiltrated the
Hibernians with the purpose of breaking the Coal miners union. So successful
was his infiltration, that after the execution the labor spy and
strikebreaking business would become a multi-million enterprise. Spies would
be seeded in almost every workplace, and union in the Nation. The name
Pinkerton would become an anathema to all workers.
1877
Within a month execution of the so called
Molly Maguires A railroad strike in Martinsburg W.Va. would set off the
largest post Revolutionary War insurrection in this Nation's history.
Historian Philip Foner calls it the Great Labor Uprising of 1877. Workers
from East coast to West coast would turn out in a General Strike to support
the striking railroad workers In all over one hundred workers would be
killed by US troops, and vigilantes to quell the uprising.
1881
Federation of Organized Trades and Labor
Unions of the United States and Canada founded. The United Brotherhood of
Carpenters and Joiners is born. On August 12. P.J. McGuire becomes the first
General Secretary, and Gabriel Edmonston the first General President.
1882
First Labor Day Celebrated in New York.
1883
Carpenters Local 50 is chartered in Portland,
Oregon. FOTLU President Sam Gompers visits Portland and sets the Federated
Trades Assembly.
1886
General Strike in support of the eight hour
day begins on May 1st.Tens of thousands of works leave their jobs in the
major cities of the US. Many are granted shorter hours without having to
strike. May 3rd, six Striking workers are killed by Pinkerton thugs at the
McCormick Harvester plant in Chicago. May 4th A squad of police enter
Haymarket Square to break up a demonstration protesting the murders of the
previous day. Someone threw a bomb in to the police killing seven. The
police open fire and kill and unknown amount, and wounding over two hundred.
This became know as the Haymarket Massacre. May 5th. In Bayview, Wisconsin
seven strikers are killed Fighting for the eight hour day. FOTLU reorganizes
and becomes The American Federation of Labor (AFL).
1887
The State of Oregon becomes the first State
to declare a labor Day.
1890
The United Mine Workers of America are born.
The members of the UMW would go on to become " the shock troops of the
American labor movement"
1892
Homestead, Pennsylvania . The Amalgamated
Association of Iron, Steel and Tin workers go on strike against the Andrew
Carnegie owned Homestead Works. twelve mill complex employing almost 4000
workers. They take over the complex, and Carngeie sends in Pinkerton
Detectives to retake the plant. After a seven hour battle the Pinkertons
surrender. Seven workers and three Pinkertons were killed in the battle.
State troops were called in to end the uprising, crushing the strike.
1894
Eugene Debs leads the American Railway Union
on a strike against the Pullman Car Company. US troops are called out and
break the strike. Over thirty workers were killed on the picket lines.
1897
The Lattimer Massacre. Nineteen striking coal
miners are killed shot in the back as they peacefully march to stand picket
at a mine entrance. Thirty nine more were wounded.
1898
Fourteen striking coal miners were killed,
and twenty four wounded in a battle to prevent a train load of "replacement
workers" (aka scabs) from being shipped in from the South. This became known
as The Virden Massacre.
1900
The Portland Labor Press, now the Northwest
Labor Press issued it first edition. The International Ladies Garment
Workers Union is founded.
1901
United Textile workers founded
1902
Mother Jones now seventy three years old
leads the march of the mill Children from the textile mills of Pennsylvania
to the summer home of President Teddy Roosevelt . Although Roosevelt refuses
to see them the march successfully highlighted the problem of child labor
and as a result many States changed laws to restrict child labor as a
result.
1905
The Industrial Workers of the World is
founded. This union was the most Unique ever founded in the history of the
world. With direct action as their credo the IWW or Wobblies would put the
forward back into the labor movement. From 1905 to 1920 the IWW would fight
a series of battles from labor rights to free speech rights that would seek
to affirm every principle set fourth in the Constitution, and the Bill of
Rights.
1906
Upton Sinclair's classic exposure of the
working conditions in the meat packing industry is published. Many people,
after reading The Jungle have become vegetarians.
1906
February 18th United Brotherhood of
Carpenters Organizer, and founder, Peter J. McGuire dies.
1910
Carpenters Union reaches 200,000 members
making it the largest trade union in the US.
1911
146 workers, mostly women are killed in the
Triangle Shirtwaste Fire in New York City. The doors were locked to prevent
union organizers from entering. Most jumped to their deaths from the 14th
floor.
1912
The great State of Oregon passes the very
first minimum wage law in the Nation.
1913
Mucklow, West Virginia 12 striking coal
miners were massacred by thugs Working for the Baldwin Felts Detective
Agency. December 24th in Calumet, Michigan 62 Children and 11 adults are
crushed in a narrow stair case when Mahon-Wadell detectives gave a false
fire alarm during a Christmas party for the children of striking copper
miners. This is forever known as " The Christmas Massacre of 1913"
1914
Striking coal miners in Ludlow Colorado are
attacked by the Colorado National Guard on Easter Sunday as they perform a
daily ritual of raising the American Flag. These miners were housed in a
colony of Tents provided by the United Mine Workers. Pits were dug under the
tents to keep women and children from getting hit from the bullets randomly
fired by the NG and the Baldwin Felts guards. One day after the attack the
bodies of 11 children and two pregnant women are discovered in the pit under
a burned mattress. The Ludlow Massacre will forever be remember as one of
the most heinous crimes committed against the working class in America's
History.
1915
November 5th in Everett, Washington a boat
load of Industrial Workers of the World members attempt to disembark from
the Veronia, to participate in a free speech fight in Everett. They were
fired on by drunken sheriff deputies in an ambush. 5 men were killed another
6 disappeared in the turbulent waters never to be seen again. William
Hutchenson is elected General President of the UBC. He becomes one of the
most forceful personalities in the Labor movement. He doggedly protects the
multi-dimensional jurisdiction of the working carpenter from all other
trades. Adamson Act creates a 8 hour work day for all railroad workers.
IWW troubadour, Joe Hill is executed by the
State of Utah in a framed up Murder charge.
1919
Year of Great violence against workers.
Elaine, Arkansas on September 30th Between 100 and 500 striking cotton
pickers were massacred by State Troops and vigilantes composed of the towns
leading citizens.
Boston Police go on strike over low pay and
terrible working conditions
Bogalusa Massacre Four organizers for the UBC
are murdered by thugs working for The Great Southern Lumber Company, owned
by the Goodyear Corporation.
1920
The Matewan Battle. Seven coal company thugs,
two miners, and the town Mayor are killed as company thugs attempt to evict
striking coal miners form their homes with city limits.
1921
Matewan town Marshall Sid Hatfield and deputy
Ed Chambers were executed by Baldwin Felts . The murder of these heroes of
the union coal miners precipitated the largest post-civil war rebellion in
US history. The Battle of Blair Mountain.
Between 10 to 20 thousand miners from the
surrounding States march on the anti-union stronghold of Logan County and
it's sheriff DanChafin. US troops are again called out to quell the
uprising.
Landis Decision Judge Kenesaw Landis slashes
wages beyond contractors proposals and weakens the closed shop for five
years.
1922
The International Longshoreman's Association
strike for Union recognition at the Port of Portland. The pickets are
attacked by police and over 500 are arrested. The Palmer Red Raids hit
Portland and every known member of the IWW are arrested.
1929
Stock market crashes sending the economy in a
downward tailspin.
1930
Mother Mary Harris Jones dies at the age of
100 year old.
1931
The Davis-Bacon Act becomes law requiring
employers to pay prevailing wages to workers of contractors and
subcontractors on all public construction projects. This is one of the most
important laws dealing with the construction industry and is under constant
attack by big business.
1932
Wisconsin enacts the first unemployment
insurance act in the Nation.
1933
President Roosevelt installs Francis Perkins
as Secretary of Labor. She is the First woman to ever serve in a US cabinet
position
1935
The National Labor Relations, or Wagner act
becomes law. This is the first National law to protect a workers right to
organize and bargain collectively.
1935
The Committee for Industrial Organization if
formed within the American Federation of Labor. They would later become the
Congress of Industrial Organizations.
1936
Rubber workers for Goodyear, and auto workers
for GM find they have more Power by sitting down on the job within factory
gates than they do on the picket line. So they conduct sit down strikes and
win union recognition, higher wages and better benefits. The Byrnes Act
becomes law also known as the anti-strikebreaker act. This law prevented the
aid to transport of strikebreakers in interstate or foreign trade. The
Walsh-Healey Act, or the Public Contract Act also becomes law, which
establishes a minimum wage, overtime pay, child and convict labor
provisions, and safety regulations on all federal contracts.
1937
GM recognizes the UAW. US steel recognizes
the United Steel Workers. 10 workers killed, and over 60 wounded by Chicago
Police as they peaceably march on the Republic steel works. This was the
last mass execution of striking workers by authorities protecting the
interest of big business. Why? Because the Movie Tone News Cameras was their
to catch every detail.
CIO expelled from the AFL.
The National Apprenticeship Act Becomes law.
This establishes a bureau of apprentship within the Bureau of Labor.
1938
The Fair Labor Standards Act creates a .25
cent minimum wage and time and Half for overtime.
1941
The Ford Motor Company recognizes the United
Autoworkers of America after decades of bitter struggle. Henry Ford hired
his own private security known as Ford Service Men. Their job was to beat,
intimidate, and harass union organizers, and sympathizers.
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor and thus the US
enters World War II. Trade Union membership increases. Women enter the
workforce in large numbers.
1942
On labor day the Liberty Ship SS Peter J.
McGuire is launched at Richmond Yards in San Francisco. Liberty ships would
supply US troops, and allies with supplies to fight the war.
President Roosevelt gives an executive order
creating a committee on fair employment to eliminate discrimination in the
war industries.
1943
The SS Santiago Iglesias is launched in
Baltimore, Maryland. Named after a Puerto Rican Senator and Union Carpenter.
1944
Union membership reaches it historic peak of
over 18,000,000 workers.
1945
World War II ends starting the post war boom
brining the standard of living up for most all Americans. Especially with
Union membership.CIO, Congress of Industrial Organizations affiliates with
the World Federation of Trade Unions.
1946
Largest Strike wave in the history of the
U.S.
1947
The Taft-Hartley Act becomes law despite a
veto from President Truman. Also Known as the Labor Management Relations
Act. This law would have a chilling effect on labor organizing, and labor
relations. It gave States the right to outlaw the close shop. Secondary
boycotts became illegal, and labor organizations have to file financial
reports with the bureau of labor. United Mine Workers President John L.
Lewis called the Taft-Hartley act " the first ugly savage thrust of fascism
in America."
1948
The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 is
amended to prohibit child labor for the first time in US history.
The Congress of Industrial Organizations
begin to expel union with communist leadership.
1955
The AFL-CIO merge electing George Meany as it
first President Meany rose out of the New York Plumber's union to become
great stereotypical cigar chopping union boss the media loves to hate.
1957
The AFL-CIO expels the Teamsters, and Laundry
Workers unions for corruption.
1958
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters reaches
it's peak of 850,000 members
1959
The Landrum - Griffin Act, also known as The
Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act becomes law. Another stab at
the heart of labor, restricts certain types of picketing, and tightens
restrictions on secondary Boycotts.
1963
Equal Pay Act becomes law. Prohibits wage
differences based on sex.
1964
Civil Rights Act outlaws discrimination in
workplace based on sex, color, religion, and National origin.
1968
The Age Discrimination Act becomes law.
1970
Rise of new and improved open shop drive by
Big Business.
Anti-Union activity increases. The ABC and
other open shop contractors gain work with double breasted shops. Lowers
safety, and wage standards.
1974
Coalition of Labor Union Women founded in
Chicago.
Labor's Community Service is founded to meet
the needs of down and out Union members.
1977
The University of Oregon establishes the
Labor Education and Research Center.
1980's
Ronald Raygun and the "New Right" with it's
anti-union sector gain economic and political power. BE&K, PCL, Fluor
Daniel, Brown & Root, and ect.Reagan breaks the Air Traffic controllers
union kicking off a large scale attack on labor unions form business all
over the Nation.
Joyce Miller become the first woman appointed
to the AFL-CIO executive Board.
1987
Oregon Public Employees strike for and win
pay equity for women workers.
1989
The UBC starts an intensive National
training, and organizational programs.
1990's
Portland Jobs with Justice is founded. Labor
supported drives to raise minimum wages is successful making Oregon the
highest level in the Nation.
Labor defeats a series of legislative attacks
form anti - union forces lead by Bill Sizemore and his puppet masters of the
Oregon Business Roundtable.
2001
September 11 Terrorist attack the Pentagon,
and the World Trade Centers killing over 3000 people. 17 of those murdered
were union carpenters working in their daily jobs. Several escaped then
returned to help with rescue efforts.
2003
IT'S ON YOU NOW! Go make history. Educate,
agitate, and organize!
Recommended Books and Videos about Labor History
By Gene Lawhorn
Labor's Untold Story
By Richard O. Boyer & Herbert M Morais. This is one of the very best Labor
history primers available.
A Peoples History of the United States
By Howard Zinn
Toil & Trouble: A History of American
Labor By
Thomas R Brooks
History of the Labor Movement in the
United States Ten Volumes
By Philip Foner
We Were There: The Story of Working Women
in America
By Barbara Wertheimer
Rebels in the Woods: The IWW in the
Pacific Northwest
By Robert L Tyler
Big Trouble
By J. Anthony Lukas This is a big book, but very a thorough examination of
the attempted frame up of Western Federation of Miners leaders for the
murder of Ex-Governor of Idaho in 1905.
Where the Sun Never Shines: A History of
America's Bloody Coal Industry
By Priscilla Long. This is an amazing book!!!
Making Sense of the Molly Maguires
By Kevin Kenny This is the most thorough examination of the Mollies to date.
The Labor Spy Racket
By Leo Huberman
Strike!
By Jeremy Brecher
The Road to Dignity (Carpenters History)
by Thomas R. Brooks
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters
By Walter Galenson
Empire in Wood: A History of the
Carpenters Union
By Robert A. Chrsitie This book is very-very hard to find!
Fear at Work: Job Blackmail, Labor, and
the Environment
By Richard L. Grossman & Richard Kazis
VIDEOS
Matewan
Written & Directed by John Sayles This is the absolute best acted and well
written story about labor history!!! It is a work of Genus!
Salt of the Earth
This movie was banned and blacklisted, do we need a better reason to see it?
The cast of the movie was composed of actual strikers, and black listed
actors.
Roger & Me
by Michael Moore This is dark comedy about the shut down of the GM plants is
Flint Michigan. See this movie you will never by another GM automobile!
Norma Rae
Based on a true story, Sally Fields does an excellent job in this movie.
Silkwood
Hollywood heavy hitters Meryl Streep, Cher, and Kurt Russell tell the true
story of Oil & Chemical workers activist Karen Silkwood, and her efforts to
expose illegal activities at a Kerr-McGee nuclear plant.
The Killing Floor This movie explores
race, and work at a Chicago Meat packing plant.
Harlin County USA Documentary explores the conflict between union miners and management is
Bloody Harlin County Kentucky.
Most of these books can be
purchased at Powell's Books, the only union bookstore in the State. The videos
can be purchased on Ebay. You can also find many hard to come by labor books on
ebay as well as www.abebooks.com.
