Today in Labor History May 19 Explosion kills 184 miners, Shootout in Matewan, 31 dockworkers killed

[Omaha Steve]

May 19

Explosion in Coal Creek, Tenn. kills 184 miners - 1902


Shootout in Matewan, W. Va. between striking union miners (led by Police Chief Sid Hatfield) and coal company agents. Ten died, including seven agents - 1920

And this:
May 19, 1920 - Ten people were killed when coal company officials in Matewan, West Virginia, tried to remove striking union workers from coal company housing. The episode, which became known as the “Matewan Battle” is depicted in John Sayles’ film Matewan.

For more information on the Matewan battle
Go to http://matewanwv.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=49 and http://www.mc.cc.md.us/Departments/hpolscrv/knowlandl.html

The Steel Workers Organizing Committee, formed by the Congress of Industrial Organizations, formally becomes the United Steelworkers of America - 1942

And this: May 19, 1942 - The Steel Workers Organizing Committee formally became the United Steelworkers of America.

31 dockworkers are killed, 350 workers and others are injured when four barges carrying 467 tons of ammunition blow up at South Amboy, New Jersey. They were loading mines that had been deemed unsafe by the Army and were being shipped to the Asian market for sale - 1950

Labor history found here: http://www.unionist.com/today-in-labor-history & here: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?history_9_05_19_2010