Today in Labor History Mar 4 FDR names a woman, Frances Perkins, to be Secretary of Labor, UAW, mor

[Omaha Steve]

March 4

In his inaugural address, President Thomas Jefferson declares: “Take not from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.” - 1801

March 4, 1865 - Union Stockyards opened, leading to the establishment of Chicago as the world's greatest meat producing and packing center by the end of the decade. With the stockyards came thousands more workers, who organized into unions like the United Packinghouse Workers of America, to raise wages and improve conditions in the dirty, dangerous industry.

Pres. William Howard Taft signs legislation creating the Department of Labor. Former United Mine Workers Secretary Treasurer William B. Wilson is named to lead the new department - 1913

President Franklin D. Roosevelt names a woman, Frances Perkins, to be Secretary of Labor. Perkins became the first female cabinet member in U.S. history - 1933

UAW workers win sit-down strike in Flint, Michigan, forcing General Motors to recognize the union. In the 40-day action, the strikers were protected by 5,000 armed workers circling the Fisher Body plant - 1937


Machinists strike Eastern Airlines are soon joined by flight attendants and pilots in the nationwide walkout. Owner Frank Lorenzo refuses to consider the unions’ demands; Eastern ultimately went out of business - 1989


And this: March 4, 1989 - The International Association of Machinists went on strike against Eastern Airlines. Some 8,500 ramp service workers, mechanics, aircraft cleaners and stock clerks were joined by 6,000 flight attendants and 3,400 pilots on picketlines in the nationwide strike. Owner Frank Lorenzo refused to consider the unions' demands; Eastern ultimately went out of business.

Labor history found here: http://www.unionist.com/today-in-labor-history & here: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?history_9_03_04_2011