Today in Labor History February 21st, 2025

 

Oakland Unified School District on Strike

Sarah Bagley became the first female telegraph operator. She was hired at the office in Lowell, Massachusetts - 1846

Oregon passed the first legislation in the country to officially recognize the “workingman’s holiday” Labor Day. By 1894, 30 other states had adopted the holiday and on June of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September each year a federal holiday. – 1887

Barbara Jordan was born in Houston, Texas, to later become the nation’s first African American state senator since 1883 - 1936

The Transportation-Communication Employees Union merged with the Brotherhood of Railway, Airline & Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express & Station Employees. – 1969

The United Farm Workers of America was granted a charter by the AFL-CIO. – 1972

Richard M. Nixon arrived in China for an historic eight-day official visit. He was the first U.S. president to visit the People’s Republic of China since its founding in 1949 - 1972

2,000 plus teachers in the Oakland Unified School District went on strike. After 7 days on the picket line, they won their demands. An 11% pay increase over 4 years, a 3% bonus (to pay for their time on strike) smaller class sizes, more support staff and a five-month moratorium on school closures. – 2019