Today in Labor History

February 18  --  Union Communications Services, Inc.

One of the first American labor newspapers, The Man, is published in New York City. It cost 1¢ and, according to The History of American Journalism, “died an early death.” Another labor paper, N.Y. Daily Sentinel, had been launched four years earlier - 1834

(Grassroots Journalism: A Practical Manual for Newswriting is a very helpful tool for activists who need—or want—to write about working peoples’ issues for their union newsletters, community newspapers and other media outlets.  The author cites examples where grassroots journalism had a real impact on peoples’ lives, tells how to zero in on the issues in a community that will motivate readers to address concerns, and gives plenty of counsel on actual research and writing techniques to help you do the best job possible.)

Faced with 84-hour workweeks, 24-hour shifts and pay of 29¢ an hour, fire fighters form The Int’l Association of Fire Fighters. Some individual locals had affiliated with the AFL beginning in 1903 - 1918