Today in Labor History August 7, 2023

 

Elizabeth Gurley Flynn – The Rebel Girl

Elizabeth Gurley Flynn was born on this day in Concord, New Hampshire. Flynn was a labor leader, activist, and feminist who played a leading role in the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). Flynn was a founding member of the American Civil Liberties Union and visible proponent of women’s rights, birth control, and women’s suffrage. She joined the Communist Party USA in 1936 and in 1961 became its chairwoman. She died during a visit to the Soviet Union, where she was accorded a state funeral. – 1890

Eugene Debs and three other leaders of the American Railway Union, were arrested after the Pullman Strike. – 1894

The Actors’ Equity Association was recognized by producers after stagehands honored 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

One thousand miners presented West Virginia Governor Ephraim Morgan with a resolution calling for an end to martial law in Mingo County. Throughout the year in  1921, West Virginia miners had been fighting with mine guards, police, hired thugs and federal troops, including the Matewan massacre and the Battle of Blair Mountain. – 1921

The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) led a strike at the Boulder Canyon Project. – 1931

The United Slate, Tile & Composition Roofers, Damp & Waterproof Workers Association changed its name to Roofers, Waterproofers & Allied Workers. – 1978

Some 675,000 employees struck at AT&T Corporation for 22 days, winning wages, job security, pension plan changes and better health insurance. It was the last time the Communication Workers of America negotiated at one table for all its Bell System members. Divestiture came a few months later. – 1983

Television writers, members of The Writers Guild of America, ended a 22-week strike with a compromise settlement. – 1988