Today in Labor History August 2, 2020

Albert “Ginger” Goodwin

The first General Strike in Canadian history was held in Vancouver, organized as a 1-day political protest against the killing of draft evader and labor activist Albert “Ginger” Goodwin, who had called for a general strike in the event that any worker was drafted against his will. – 1918

The first General Strike in Canadian history was held today in Vancouver, George Vanderveer was born, and the Hatch Act was passed.CLICK TO TWEET

George Vanderveer was born on this date. Vanderveer served as the attorney for the Centralia Wobblies (IWW) and was one of the very few lawyers willing to represent Industrial Workers of the World during and after World War I. He represented the defendants in the Everett and Centralia massacres, as well as workers and labor unions during and after the Seattle General Strike of 1919. – 1875

The Hatch Act was passed on this day. Its main provision prohibits employees in the executive branch of the federal government, except the president, vice-president, and certain designated high-level officials of that branch, from engaging in some forms of political activity. The law was named for Senator Carl Hatch of New Mexico. It was most recently amended in 2012. – 1939

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