Labor history Sept 16 43,000 oil workers strike in 20 states, 1st time union represented guest worke

[Omaha Steve]

September 16

September 16, 1810 - The Mexican War of Independence began after Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest, issued a revolutionary tract calling for the end of 300 years of Spanish rule of Mexico, redistribution of land and racial equality.

September 16, 1838 - James J. Hill, “the Empire Builder,” was born. In St. Paul, Minnesota, he founded the Great Northern Railroad and eventually became one of the country’s wealthiest and most powerful men.

September 16, 1936 - At the height of the Salinas Valley, California, lettuce strike, members of the Fruit and Vegetable Workers’ Union blocked downtown Salinas streets to stop a convoy of trucks carrying produce harvested by strikebreakers. In the 1930s, agricultural workers as well as industrial workers organized unions and struggled to improve their wages and benefits.

More than 43,000 oil workers strike in 20 states, part of the post-war strike wave - 1945

September 16, 1989 - Several thousand people gathered at the state Capitol in St. Paul to protest the presence of the anti-union contractor, BE&K in Minnesota to build a paper plant. The rally was one of the largest demonstrations ever held in the state.

A player lockout by the National Hockey League begins, leading to cancellation of what would have been the league’s 88th season. The lockout, over owner demands that salaries be capped, lasted 310 days - 2004

The Farm Labor Organizing Committee wins a signed contract with the Mount Olive Pickle Co. and growers, ending a five-year boycott. The agreement marked the first time an American labor union represented guest workers - 2004


Richard Trumka is elected president of the AFL-CIO at the federation’s convention in Pittsburgh. He had served as the secretary-treasurer under predecessor John Sweeney from 1995 to 2009, and prior to that was president of the United Mine Workers for 13 years - 2009

Labor history is found here: http://www.unionist.com/big-labor/today-in-labor-history & here: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?history_9_09_16_2011