Today in Labor History--April 16

Coxey's Army en route to D.C.

April 16, 1854—Jacob Coxey was born on this date in Masillon, Ohio. Coxey, a populist businessman, proposed ending the 1893 depression by issuing Treasury notes to pay for a work-relief program. When Congress refused to pass his bill, Coxey led an "Army of the Poor" from Ohio to Washington, DC, where Coxey and his lieutenants were arrested, while 50 of his followers were beaten or trampled.

Garment Workers Parade, May Day, 1916

April 16, 1916 - 25,000 garment workers in New York City were locked out by employers in a dispute over hiring practices. A General Strike was called by the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union ending in 14 weeks, with the 60,000 striking workers winning union recognition and the contractual right to strike. (From Workday Minnesota)

Texas City Parking Lot 1/4 Mile Away From Explosion

 April 16, 1947 – 500 workers in Texas City, Texas died when a huge oil refinery and chemical plant had a series of explosions and fires. (From the Unionist)

April 16, 2000 - Thousands protested in Washington, D.C. at meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund One against policies that aid corporate profits while increasing poverty and environmental degradation. (From Workday Minnesota)

Today in Labor History--April 16

Garment Workers Parade, May Day, 1916

April 16, 1916 - 25,000 garment workers in New York City were locked out by employers in a dispute over hiring practices. A General Strike was called by the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union ending in 14 weeks, with the 60,000 striking workers winning union recognition and the contractual right to strike. (From Workday Minnesota)

Texas City Parking Lot 1/4 Mile Away From Explosion

 April 16, 1947 – 500 workers in Texas City, Texas died when a huge oil refinery and chemical plant had a series of explosions and fires. (From the Unionist)

April 16, 2000 - Thousands protested in Washington, D.C. at meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund One against policies that aid corporate profits while increasing poverty and environmental degradation. (From Workday Minnesota)

Greek Teachers Join General Strike

Greek workers have launched a general strike against the austerity measures imposed by the government, the Teacher Solidarity website reported this week. Teachers have joined the strike by both public and private sector workers against the cuts in public services, pay and benefits cuts, and increasing taxes. Schools have been shut down, transportation has been disrupted and health services are operating with emergency crews.

The austerity measures and general strike come in the wake of a bailout by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which occurred a year ago, but which has done nothing to relieve the country of its financial crisis. There is clearly no justification for Greek workers to continue to accept the cuts to their living standards and working conditions as it has done nothing to solve the country’s financial problems. However, their resistance has sent shockwaves through the European Union’s financial sector, as banks and finance capitalists freak out over the possibility that Greece might default on its loans, and inspire Ireland and Portugal to do the same.

Today in Labor History--April 16

Garment Workers Parade, May Day, 1916

April 16, 1916 - 25,000 garment workers in New York City were locked out by employers in a dispute over hiring practices. A General Strike was called by the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union ending in 14 weeks, with the 60,000 striking workers winning union recognition and the contractual right to strike. (From Workday Minnesota)

Parking Lot 1/4 Mile Away From Explosion

April 16, 1947 – 500 workers in Texas City, Texas died when a huge oil refinery and chemical plant had a series of explosions and fires. (From the Unionist)

April 16, 2000 - Thousands protested in Washington, D.C. at meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund One against policies that aid corporate profits while increasing poverty and environmental degradation. (From Workday Minnesota)