August 16
George Meany, plumber, founding AFL-CIO president, born in City Island, Bronx. In his official biography, George Meany and His Times, he said he had "never walked a picket line in his life." He also said he took part in only one strike (against the United States Government to get higher pay for plumbers on welfare jobs). Yet he also firmly said that "You only make progress by fighting for progress." Meany served as secretary-treasurer of the AFL from 1940 to 1952, succeeded as president of the AFL, and then continued as president of the AFL-CIO following the historic merger in 1955 until retiring in 1979 - 1894
Homer Martin, early United Auto Workers leader, born in Marion, Ill. - 1902
Congress passes the National Apprenticeship Act, establishing a national advisory committee to research and draft regulations establishing minimum standards for apprenticeship programs. It was later amended to permit the Labor Department to issue regulations protecting the health, safety and general welfare of apprentices, and to encourage the use of contracts in their hiring and employment - 1937
National Agricultural Workers Union merges into Amalgamated Meat Cutters & Butcher Workmen - 1960
Int’l Union of Wood, Wire & Metal Lathers merges with United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners - 1979
More info & ammo for unionists is available
online from Union Communication Services.
New York Times Tech Guild Ends Strike, Continues Contract Fight
ZeniMax Video Game Workers Walk Off the Job in Maryland and Texas
