Today in Labor History October 25th, 2023

 

John Sweeney

What many believe to be the first formal training on first aid in American history took place at the Windsor Hotel in Jermyn, Pennsylvania, when Dr. Matthew J. Shields instructed 25 anthracite coal miners on ways to help their fellow miners.  Upon completion of the course, each of the miners was prepared and able to render first aid.  The training led to marked decreases in serious mining injuries and fatalities. – 1899

25,000 silk dye workers went on strike in Paterson, New Jersey. – 1934

In what became known as the Great Hawaiian Dock Strike, a six-month struggle to win wage parity with mainland dockworkers ended in victory. – 1949

Workers were locked out at the New York Daily News for a brutal five months, part of an effort to bust the union. – 1990

In the first contested elections in the history of the AFL-CIO, a slate led by Service Employees President John Sweeney was elected at the national AFL-CIO convention in New York City. Mine Workers President Richard Trumka became AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer and Linda Chavez-Thompson of AFSCME filled the newly created position of executive vice president. – 1995