December 16

The National Civic Federation is formed by business and labor leaders, most prominently AFL president Sam Gompers, as a vehicle to resolve conflicts between management and labor. Not all unionists agreed with the alliance. The group turned increasingly conservative and labor withdrew after Gompers’ 1924 death - 1900

New York City’s Majestic Theater becomes first in the U.S. to employ women ushers - 1902

The Bagel Bakers of America union is continuing a work slowdown at 32 of New York’s 34 bagel bakeries in a dispute over health and welfare fund payments and workplace sanitation, the New York Times reports.  Coincidentally -- or not -- lox sales were down 30 percent to 50 percent as well.  The effect on the cream cheese market was not reported - 1951

The Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen & Enginemen & Switchmen’s Union of North America merge to become United Transportation Union - 1968

Eight female bank tellers in Willmar, Minnesota, begin the first strike against a bank in U.S. history. At issue: they were paid little more than half what male tellers were paid. The strike ended in moral victory but economic defeat two years later - 1977

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

http://www.unionist.com/