Thursday, August 07, 2014

Today in Labor History

Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, Wobbly organizer, born - 1890
Eugene Debs and three other trade unionists arrested after Pullman Strike - 1894
Actors Equity is recognized by producers after stagehands honor their picket lines, shutting down almost every professional stage production in the country. Before unionizing, it was common practice for actors to pay for their own costumes, rehearse long hours without pay, and be fired without notice - 1919
(Drawing the Line: The Untold Story of the Animation Unions: The entertainment industry relies on many behind-the-scenes workers.  Sito tells the fascinating story of Hollywood animators, from the early days of Betty Boop and Popeye to today’s world of Pixar. He describes fighting for unionism during the era of virulent anti-Communism in Hollywood, during which if an artist stood up against management he or she was labeled a Red.)
2014.08.04history-cwa-att-strikeUnited Slate, Tile & Composition Roofers, Damp & Waterproof Workers Association change name to Roofers, Waterproofers & Allied Workers - 1978
Some 675,000 employees struck ATT Corp. over wages, job security, pension plan changes and better health insurance. It was the last time CWA negotiated at one table for all its Bell System members: divestiture came a few months later. The strike was won after 22 days - 1983
Television writers, members of The Writers Guild of America, end a 22-week strike with a compromise settlement - 1988

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