CWA Local 4319: LABOR CALENDAR FOR OCTOBER

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1914 IWW Rally in NYC, Butchers and Meat Packers

To see another month, clink on the appropriate link. The external links provided in these pages are for those interested in reading more on the various people and topics. These sites are not affiliated in any way with CWA Local 4319. All pictures used in the Labor Calendar, unless otherwise indicated, are courtesy of the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

January	February	March	April	May	June
July	August	September	October	November	December

October 1

The 150,000-member Insurance Workers International Union merged with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) in 1980.

October 4

In 1887, the Louisiana Militia, aided by bands of "prominent citizens," shot 35 unarmed black sugar workers striking to gain a dollar-per-day wage, and lynched two strike leaders.

October 6

Women trade unionists held their first national conference in 1918.

October 7

In 1879, Industrial Workers of the World organizer, songwriter, and poet Joe Hill was born Joseph Hillstrom in Gavle, Sweden.

The Rebel Girl, by Joe Hill

There are women of many descriptions
In this queer world, as everyone knows,
Some are living in beautiful mansions,
And are wearing the finest of clothes.
There are blue blooded queens and princesses,
Who have charms made of diamonds and pearl;
But the only and thoroughbred lady
Is the Rebel Girl.

(Chorus)
That's the Rebel Girl, That's the Rebel Girl.
To the working class she's a precious pearl.
She brings courage, pride and joy
To the fighting Rebel Boy
We've had girls before, but we need some more
In the Industrial Workers of the World.
For it's great to fight for freedom
With a Rebel Girl.

Yes, her hands may be harden'd from labor
And her dress may not be very fine;
But a heart in her bosom is beating
That is true to her class and her kind.
And the grafters in terror are trembling
When her spite and defiance she'll hurl.
For the only and thoroughbred lady
Is the Rebel Girl.

October 12

1898 - Fourteen were killed, 25 wounded in violence resulting when Virden, Illinois mine owners attempted to break a strike by importing 200 non-union black workers.

More than a million Canadian workers demonstrated against wage controls in 1976.

October 18

In 1943, the Packinghouse Workers Organizing Committee was officially dissovled and workers were given control over their own organization -- the United Packinghouse Workers of America. the UPWA merged with the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen in 1968, which merged with the Retail Clerks to become the UFCW in 1979.

October 24

The 40-hour work week went into effect in 1940.

October 24

The stock market crashed in 1929, ushering in the 1930s Great Depression. Although it brought high unemployment and widespread misery, the Depression also led to vast social and economic reforms, including far-reaching labor legislation.

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