May 26

Men and women weavers in Pawtucket, R.I., stage nation's first "co-ed" strike - 1824

Western Federation of Miners members strike for 8-hour day, Cripple Creek, Colo. - 1894

Actors’ Equity Assn. is founded by 112 actors at a meeting in New York City’s Pabst GrandCircle Hotel.  Producer George M. Cohan responds: “I will drive an elevator for a living before I will do business with any actors’ union.”  Later a sign will appear in Times Square reading: “Elevator operator wanted.  George M. Cohan need not apply" – 1913

IWW Marine Transport Workers strike, Philadelphia - 1920

Some 100,000 steel workers and miners, in mines owned by steel companies, strike in seven states.  The Memorial Day Massacre, in which ten strikers were killed by police atRepublic Steel in Chicago, took place four days later, on May 30 - 1937

Ford Motor Co. security guards attack union organizers and supporters attempting to distribute literature outside the plant in Dearborn, Mich., in an event that was to become known as the “Battle of the Overpass.” The guards tried to destroy any photos showing the attack, but some survived—and inspired the Pulitzer committee to establish a prize for photography – 1937

More info & ammo for unionists is available
online from Union Communication Services.

http://www.unionist.com/