Today in Labor History

The “Bread and Roses” textile strike

The first American “Modern School”, based on ideas of Francisco Ferrer, was founded by a group including Leonard Abbott, Alexander Berkman and Emma Goldman, in New York City. – 1911

The IWW-organized (Industrial Workers of the World) “Bread & Roses” textile strike of 32,000 women and children began on this date in Lawrence, Massachusetts.CLICK TO TWEETThe first to walk out were a group of Polish women who, upon collecting their pay, exclaimed that they had been cheated and promptly abandoned their looms. The Strike lasted 10 weeks, beginning after the legislature cut maximum working hours for women and children from 56 to 54 hours per week and the employers cut their pay along with the hours. Many sent their children to live with family or comrades in New York during the strike. The Modern School organizers and parents took in many of these children. – 1912

Auto workers engaged in a sit-down strike at General Motors plant in Flint, Michigan. – 1936

Ford Motor Co. announces it will eliminate 35,000 jobs while discontinuing four models and closing five plants. – 2002

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