Today in Labor History September 10th, 2024

 

The Lattimer massacre was the violent deaths of at least 19 unarmed 

striking immigrant anthracite miners

Polish, Lithuanian, German and Slovak miners were gunned down by the Latimer Mine’s sheriff deputies during a peaceful march from Hazelton to Latimer, leaving 19 dead and more than 50 wounded.   Some 3,000 were marching for collective bargaining and civil liberty.  The shooters were tried for murder but the jury failed to convict.  – 1897

The Chicago Teachers Union began a strike after CTU President Lewis declared that negotiations with the city were not succeeding. Regulations required that contract negotiations had to be an issue in the strike, and the teachers were seeking better pay, better benefits, and protections for teachers who lose their jobs due to school closures. On September 14th, the teachers reached a tentative agreement with the city, which included preferences for teachers who have been laid off due to a school closing to be hired in another school, and student test scores having less of a role in teacher evaluations than the city had originally planned. This TA agreement did not hold,  and the strike continued, at which point Mayor Emanuel announced his intention to seek a legal injunction, forcing teachers back to work  On September 17th, the Mayor’s efforts to end the strike stalled as the walkout went into the second week. Delegates from the CTU voted to end the strike on September 18th and students began their return to the schools on the 19th. – 2012