October Labor History

Remembering Past Struggles and Successes on Behalf of Working People During the Month of October

October 1, 1980 The 15,000-member Insurance Workers International Union merges with the UFCW.
October 4, 1887 The Louisiana Militia, aided by bands of "prominent citizens", shoot 35 unarmed black sugar workers striking to gain a dollar-per-day wage and lynch two strike leaders.
October 6, 1918 Women trade unionists hold their first national conference in 1918.
October 6, 1986 1,700 female flight attendants win an 18-year lawsuit (including $37 million in damages) against United Airlines, which had fired them for getting married.
October 7, 1879 Industrial Workers of the World organizer, songwriter, and poet Joe Hill is born Joseph Hillstrom in Gavie, Sweden.
October 10, 1933 18,000 cotton workers go on strike in Pixely, California and four are killed before a pay-hike was finally won.
October 12, 1898 In attempting to break a strike, Virden, Illinois import 200 nonunion workers resulting in the death of fourteen and wounding of 25 workers.
October 12, 1902 Fourteen miners are killed and 22 wounded by "scabherders" at Pana, Illinois
October 12, 1976 More than one million Canandian workers demonstrate against wage controls.
October 18, 1943 The Packinghouse Workers Organizing Committee is officially dissolved and workers 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, 1940 The 40 - hour work week goes into effect under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
October 24, 1929 The stock market crashes ushering in the 1930's Depression. Although it brought high unemployment and widespread misery, the Depression also led to vast social and economic reforms, including far-reaching labor legislation.
October 24, 1987 The Executive Council of the AFL-CIO unanimously decides to readmit the 1.6 million member Teamsters Union to its ranks.

October 1, 1980

The 15,000-member Insurance Workers International Union merges with the UFCW.

October 4, 1887

The Louisiana Militia, aided by bands of "prominent citizens", shoot 35 unarmed black sugar workers striking to gain a dollar-per-day wage and lynch two strike leaders.

October 6, 1918

Women trade unionists hold their first national conference in 1918.

October 6, 1986

1,700 female flight attendants win an 18-year lawsuit (including $37 million in damages) against United Airlines, which had fired them for getting married.

October 7, 1879

Industrial Workers of the World organizer, songwriter, and poet Joe Hill is born Joseph Hillstrom in Gavie, Sweden.

October 10, 1933

18,000 cotton workers go on strike in Pixely, California and four are killed before a pay-hike was finally won.

October 12, 1898

In attempting to break a strike, Virden, Illinois import 200 nonunion workers resulting in the death of fourteen and wounding of 25 workers.

October 12, 1902

Fourteen miners are killed and 22 wounded by "scabherders" at Pana, Illinois

October 12, 1976

More than one million Canandian workers demonstrate against wage controls.

October 18, 1943

The Packinghouse Workers Organizing Committee is officially dissolved and workers 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, 1940

The 40 - hour work week goes into effect under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.

October 24, 1929

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

October 24, 1987

The Executive Council of the AFL-CIO unanimously decides to readmit the 1.6 million member Teamsters Union to its ranks.