Labor History Aug 24 United Farm Workers Union begins lettuce strike (Nixon eats Lettuce) more

[Omaha Steve]

August 24


The Mechanics Gazette, believed to be the first U.S. labor newspaper, is published in Philadelphia, the outgrowth of a strike by Carpenters demanding a shorter, 10-hour day. The strike lost but labor journalism blossomed: within five years there were 68 labor newspapers across the country, many of them dailies - 1827 (If you’re tired of your union being ignored by your local media and fed up with the way your employer’s side of the story always gets told, you’ll want a copy of Making the News: A Guide for Nonprofits and Activists. Author Jason Salzman is an expert in getting positive media attention for nonprofit groups and activists and Making the News explains the basics of how to talk to reporters, how to do a news release, ways to “create” a news event, how to get invited to (and sound good during) radio and TV interviews. You can bet the boss has a PR operation. Now you can, too, without fear. In the UCS bookstore now.)

The Gatling Gun Co. -- manufacturers of an early machine gun -- writes to B&O Railroad Co. President John W. Garrett during a strike, urging their product be purchased to deal with the "recent riotous disturbances around the country." Says the company: "Four or five men only are required to operate (a gun), and one Gatling ... can clear a street or block and keep it clear" - 1877

National Association of Letter Carriers formed - 1889


United Farm Workers Union begins lettuce strike - 1970

August 24, 1980 - Solidarnosc, the Solidarity trade union movement, was founded in Gdansk, Poland. Leader Lech Walesa went on to help lead the overthrow of the Soviet-dominated government and eventually be elected president of the country.

Labor history found here: http://www.unionist.com/big-labor/today-in-labor-history & here: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?history_9_08_24_2011