March 4
In his inaugural address, President Thomas Jefferson declares: “Take not from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.” - 1801
An avalanche kills 62 railroad workers clearing snow from the tracks in Rogers Pass, British Columbia. More than 200 people were to die in pass avalanches over a period of 26 years until the Canadian Pacific Railway constructed a tunnel bypass - 1910
President William Howard Taft signs legislation creating the Department of Labor. Former United Mine Workers Secretary Treasurer William B. Wilson is named to lead the new department - 1913
President Franklin D. Roosevelt names a woman, Frances Perkins, to be secretary of labor. Perkins became the first female cabinet member in U.S. history - 1933
UAW workers win sit-down strike in Flint, Mich., forcing General Motors to recognize the union. In the 40-day action, the strikers were protected by 5,000 armed workers circling the Fisher Body plant - 1937
Machinists strike Eastern Airlines, are soon joined by flight attendants and pilots in the nationwide walkout. Owner Frank Lorenzo refuses to consider the unions’ demands; Eastern ultimately went out of business - 1989
More info & ammo for unionists is available
online from Union Communication Services.
CWA Hosts Presidents’ Meeting and Legislative and Political Conference
CWA Human Rights Committee Members Take Eric’s ID Law to Washington, D.C.