Today in Labor History—January 14

January 14, 1868 - Eighty-five delegates from 41 locals held the third convention of the National Bricklayers Union in New York City to organize for the eight-hour workday. (From Workday Minnesota)

Brooklyn Trolley Strike (Cover of Harpers) 1895

January 14, 1895 – A Brooklyn trolley strike began on this date (lasting until Feb. 28). The militia was called out and martial law declared in order to suppress it. Members of the Knights of Labor battled militiamen in the streets. (From the Daily Bleed and Wikipedia)

January 14, 1914 – The trial of Suhr and Ford began on this date in Marysville, California. Suhr and Ford were IWW (Wobbly) organizers who were ultimately convicted for their alleged role in the gun battle at Durst Ranch in Wheatland. (From the Daily Bleed and the IWW).

January 14, 1941 – A. Philip Randolph, president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters called for a March on Washington to demand racial integration of the military and equal access to defense-industry jobs. (From theDaily Bleed)

January 14, 1976 – A wave of wildcat strikes spread across Spain to Barcelona, with the formation of workers' assemblies and the defiance of the mainstream unions and government. (From the Daily Bleed)