Today in Labor History May 13, 2022

The Canadian government established the Department of Labour. It took the U.S. another four years. – 1909

4,000 dockworkers and members of the predominantly African-American Marine Transport Workers’ Local 8 of the Industrial Workers of the World began what would be a successful strike in Philadelphia over wages and union recognition. Through strikes, slow-downs, and other workplace actions, Local 8 secured raises for all dockworkers, including those who were not IWW members, well into the 1940s. – 1913

UAW President Douglas A. Fraser was named to the Chrysler Corporation board of directors, becoming the first union representative ever to sit on the board of a major U.S. corporation. – 1980

Organized by the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, drivers in New York City went on a one-day strike to protest Mayor Rudolph Giuliani’s proposed taxicab regulations. “City officials were stunned by the success of a strike by taxi drivers,” the New York Times reported, “when all but a few hundred of the city’s 12,187 cabs remained parked.” – 1998

 Today in Labor History May 12

Nearly 150,000 anthracite coal miners went on strike in Eastern Pennsylvania for higher wages, better working conditions, and recognition of their union: the United Mine Workers of America. After months of an extreme coal shortage, President Teddy Roosevelt intervened, a commission was set up, and the strike was called off after 163 days. – 1902

The “Three Day’s Battle” began along both shores of the Tug River in West Virginia, with sniping by labor strikers at state police, deputies and coal company officials. – 1921

The Massachusetts Supreme Court upheld the death sentences of Sacco and Vanzetti, denying their motion for a new trial. – 1926

The Laundry and Dry Cleaning International Union was granted a charter by the AFL-CIO. – 1958

The International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots merged with the Longshoremen’s’ Association. – 1971

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents raided the Agriprocessors, Inc. slaughterhouse and meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa, arresting nearly 400 immigrant workers. Some 300 were convicted on document fraud charges. The raid was the largest ever to date.  Several employees and lower and mid-level managers were convicted on various charges, but not the owner—although he later was jailed for bank fraud and related crimes. – 2008