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)

Kazakh Police Massacre Striking Oil Workers

Striking oil workers in Mangystau Province, Kazakhstan, were gunned down by the police just 60 miles from the Caspian Sea, according to the WSWS. Government officials place the death toll at 13, but others claim that over 70 workers were slaughtered, with 800 being wounded in the attack. There were also 70 arrests, including several journalists.

Oil workers have been on strike in Mangystau, the country’s main oil-producing region, since May, 2011. They are demanding their bosses comply with previous agreements to raise their wages. There have been as many as 18,000 workers on strike since June. They have been subjected to death threats and assassinations, vandalism, censored internet access, bans on strikes and street protests.

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)