LABOR HISTORY
The United States is rich in
labor history. After all, it is the laborers of America that built
America. This page is dedicated to the millions of American Laborers who
gave their lives to advance the cause of working class citizens
throughout our history. You will find here a timeline of significant
events in the labor movement with a brief description of that event.
The Labor Movement in America has been
the driving force behind most social issues from the beginning of the
New World's settlement. The Labor movement has fought for, and won,
legislative battles that make the United States the world's richest and
most successful economies ever seen. The rise of Organized Labor in the
late 1800's gave working men and women a collective voice in stopping
the injustices imposed by industry and government.
As American's recognize more
individual rights and privileges than most any nation, it is important
to recognize the voice of Organized Labor throughout the centuries.
Beginning with Polish immigrant glassworkers striking for the right to
vote in 1608 to the latest ability to mobilize workers via the intranet,
Labor's voice has been heard.
The untold millions of people who gave
all or part of their lives to the Labor movement can never be listed.
The events listed here is a humble attempt to acknowledge their
sacrifices, though.
Bold Type Print signifies
listings associated with the International Association of Machinists and
Aerospace Workers. To
view the entire history, just scroll down the page.
1440 Opening of the African slave trade markets
1618 Polish glassmakers open first New
World factory – Same immigrants lead first New World strike demanding
right to vote.
1619 Slavery introduced into Virginia
1620 Mayflower compact signed and beginning of town meetings
1636 Maine indentured servants
and fishermen mutiny
1648 Boston shoemakers and coopers form
guilds to protect their interests
1661 Virginia indentured servants plot
1675 Boston ship carpenter’s protest
1676 Bacon’s Rebellion and farmers’ revolt
1677 New York City carters’
strike
1712 Carolina slave code enacted to
regulate slave life
1724 Carpenter’s Company of Philadelphia created to assist in life
quality
1739 Stone Rebellion by slaves in
South Carolina
1765 First women workers organization
formed -Daughters of Liberty
1766 Green Mountain uprising to protest inequality of political power
1768 Florida indentured servants revolt
1770 Boston Massacre precipitated by conflict between rope workers and
British soldiers
1773 Carpenters lead Boston Tea Party
1774 New Jersey Iron workers strike
1778 New York City printers unite to win wage increases
1785 New York City shoemakers strike for three weeks
1786 Philadelphia printers walk out to gain $6 a week minimum wage
1787 US Constitution counts five slaves as three people for
representation
1790 Cabinet and chair makers fight attempt by employers to blacklist
unionist. First textile industry opens with every worker under the age
of twelve
1791 Philly carpenters strike
unsuccessfully for 10-hour day. First building trades strike
1792
Philly shoemakers form first union for collective bargaining
1794 Typographic Society organizes NY
printers and strike for higher pay with shorter hours. Shoemakers
organize in Philly again
1796 Cabinetmakers go on strike
1797 Philly carpenters go on
strike
1800 G. Prosser organizes unsuccessful
slave revolt in Richmond. VA
1805 Cordwainers include closed shop provision in its constitution
1806 Philly Cordwainers tried for
conspiracy while striking for higher wages
1808 Federal law passed to prohibit importation of slaves
1814 Power loom invented which makes weaving a factory operation
1817 NY legislates law-freeing slaves born before 4 July 1799
1819 Panic causes six-year depression. Tariffs imposed
1820 Mass begins industrial organization. Missouri compromise
legislated
1823 Hatters in NYC tried & convicted of conspiracy
1824 Women join men in strike in RI for weaver’s issues
1825 United Tailoresses organize
in NY- first all female strike
1827 Mechanic’s Union of Trade Associations formed in PA. Philly
tailors tried for conspiracy
1828 Workingman’s Party formed in Philly. First all women factory
strike in NH (mill workers). Philly Mechanic’s Union of Trade
Associations looses strike for 10-hour workday
1829 NY forms Workingman’s Party
1830’s Children under 16 make up 1/3 of New England workforce
1831 Nat Turner leads slave
revolt. 1600 taloresses strike for two months
1833 Workingwomen’s Ticket formed. NY Carpenter’s strike
1834 National Trades Union formed in NYC. Factory Girl's Association
formed. 800 women strike in NH
1835 Shoemakers tried and convicted of treason. NJ children strike silk
mills
1836 Equal Rights Party formed.
1st national union formed for a specific trade - Cordwainers unions
grow. NY Tailor’s strike
1837 Most union’s buckle in panic over conspiracy trials. Depression
begins
1838 1/3 of nation’s workers unemployed
1840 Van Buren institutes 10-hour workday for federal workers
1842 MA court rules unions are not illegal conspiracies. CT & MA pass
laws prohibiting children for working longer than 10 hours per day. Coal
miners strike
1848 PA enacts law-making 12 the
youngest legal age for commercial work. PA passes law mandating 10-hour
day. Women mill workers riot for enforcement of laws
1850 Compromise of 1850 perpetuates
slavery
1852 Typographical union founded - first national workers’ union still
present today. 1st state law in Ohio limits workingwomen to 10-hour days
1855 Labor Leader Eugene Debs born
1859 Iron Molder’s union formed
1860 Successful New England shoemaker’s strike (20000 involved)
1861 Civil War begins. American Miner’s Association (First national
coal miner’s union) formed in St. Louis, MO
1862 Homestead Act passed in Congress
1863 Emancipation Proclamation signed. Brotherhood of Locomotive
engineers founded
1864 Cigar Maker’s Union formed. Contract Labor Law upheld allowing
wages to be held back for importing immigrant labor used as strike
breakers
1865 16th Amendment abolishes slavery. 8 Hour League formed
1866 National Labor Union founded. Molder’s Lockout occurs
1867 Knights of St. Crispin founded to represent shoe industry workers.
General strike for 8-hour day in Chicago
1868 Anthracite Coal strike. Federal 8 hour work law passed for
government laborers, workmen, and mechanics. First state (MA) creates
Labor Bureau
1869 Colored National Labor Union formed. Knights of Labor founded in
Philly (only open to blacks and women). Collar Laundress strike in NY.
Daughters of St. Crispin form (1st national female union)
1870 Coal Miners secure first written contract with coal operators
1872 National Labor reform Party formed
1873 Depression begins. Miner’s National Association formed
1874 Tompkins square riot in NYC. Union label 1st used by Cigar Makers
International Union
1875 Molly Mcguires convicted for
coalfield murders - twenty hanged. Anthracite coal strike
1876 Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers founded.
Workingman’s Party founded (predecessor to Socialist Party). Greenback
Party formed
1877 Federal and State troops crush first nationwide strike in US
history when railroad workers walk off the job. Cigarmaker’s strike.
Anti-Chinese riots breakout in San Francisco. Pinkerton spy frames
members of the Molly Mcguires (militant rank and file coal miner’s) -
several hanged
1878 Socialist Labor party founded. Greenback Labor Party organized.
International Labor Union founded
1882 30,000 workers march in first Labor Day parade in NYC. Congress
passes Chinese Exclusion Act. Cotton Mill Strike in NY
1883 International Working People’s Association formed. Cowboy Strike.
VA Tobacco Strike. Molder’s lockout begins.1884 Federation Bureau of
Labor established. MA Textile Strike. UP Railroad Strike
1885 Congress passes Foran Act forbidding contract for immigration
labor. Anti-Chinese riots break out. Cloakmaker’s General Strike.
McCormick Harvesting Machine Strike. Southwest Railroad Strike. NY
Carpet Weaver’s Strike1886 350,000 workers demonstrate in Chicago
demanding 8-hour workday. May Day founded as worker’s holiday. 8-hour
movement failed. Haymaker Massacre occurs in Chicago with bombing from
anarchists. Police storm Labor Market intensifying demonstrations.
American Federation of Labor founded and the much beloved Samuel Gompers
installed as first president. GA Textile Strike.
1887 Seven sentenced to death for Haymaker Massacre (5 eventually
executed) Port of New York Longshoreman Strike. International Union of
Painters Formed as a Union.
1888 International Association of Machinist formed as
19 machinists meet in locomotive pit at Atlanta, GA; vote to form a
trade union. Machinists earn 20 to 25 cents an hour for 10-hour day.
Railroad labor relation’s laws enacted at federal level. Burlington
Railroad Strike. Cincinnati Shoemaker’s Strike
1889 34 locals represented at the first Machinists convention, held in
Georgia State Senate Chamber, elect Tom Talbot as Grand Master
Machinist. A monthly journal is started. Baseball Players’ revolt
begins. MA Textile Strike. A. Philip Randolph born (civil and labor
rights leader)
1890 First Canadian local chartered at Stratford, Ont. Union is named International
Association of Machinists. Headquarters set up in Richmond, VA. IAM
membership at 4,000. United Mineworker’s of America founded in Ohio. Carpenter’s strike for 8-hour
day
IAM Local 145 asks $3 for a 10-hour day. People’s Party formed. GA Black
Laborers’ Strike. TN Miner’s StrikeFirst railroad
agreement signed with Atcheson, Topeka & Santa Fe. International Longshoreman's
Association founded. Seaman’s Union founded. PA iron and steel worker’s
strike gains national attention. New Orleans General Strike. Coeur
d’Alene Miners’ Strike
1893 Depression begins. American Railway Union formed. Western
Federation of Miners formed. Federal court in LA applies Sherman
Antitrust Act finding sympathy strike to be in restraint of trade.
National Civic Federation formed.
1894 Railroads paralyzed by National Rail Strike led by American
Railways Union in Pullman, IL. CO Miner’s strike. Great Northern
Railroad strike. Labor Day becomes official US holiday
1896 Colorado militia sent to break up miner’s strike.
1895: IAM joins American Federation of Labor (AFL), moves headquarters
to Chicago.
1897 PA police kill 19 strikers & wound 40. Union ranks around 447,000
1898 Machinist in LL 52 (PA) negotiate first 9-hour workday.
14 miners killed during strike in Il. Congress passes Erdman Act
providing mediation & arbitration of Railroad labor disputes. American
Labor Union founded. MA Shoe Worker’s Strike. AFL membership around
250,000
1899 Time-and-a-half for overtime has become prevalent. IAM Headquarters moved to Washington,
D.C. Miners blowup ID mill.
Brotherhood of Teamsters formed. NY Grain Shoveler’s Strike. NYC
Newsboy’s Strike
1900 International Ladies’ Garment
Workers Union founded. Machinist Strike. Anthracite Coal Strike
1901 Socialist Party of America formed. United Textile Workers founded.
Machinist Strike. National Cash Register Strike. San Fran Restaurant
Workers’ Strike. Steel Strike. AFL helps establish National Civic
Federation
1902 14 miners killed in Pana IL. Chicago Teamster’s Strike. Great
Anthracite Coal Miner’s Strike. Unsuccessful steel strike leaves steel
industry virtually free of unions
1903 Specialists admitted to membership. Drive begins for 8-hour day.
Troops stop riot at Cripple Creek
CO. Dept of Commerce and Labor created by Congress. National Women’s
Trade Union League formed. CA Sugar Beet Strike and Utah Coal Strike
begins. Mother Jones leads march on Roosevelt’s home to protest for
child labor accident victims
1904 CO militia kills 6 strikers. NYC Interborough Rapid Transit
Strike. Packinghouse Worker’s Strike. Santa Fe Railroad strike. AFL
around 1,700,000 members strong
1905 Apprentices admitted to IAM membership. There are 769 IAM locals. Railroad
machinists earn 36 to 43 cents an hour for 9-hour day.
NY Supreme Court declares maximum
hours per shift for bakers to be unconstitutional. 8-hour days become
standard for printers. Industrial Workers of the World founded
1907 NV Miner’s Strike begins. Mine explosion kills 361 in WV
1908 Metal Trades
Department established within AFL with IAM President James O'Connell as
president. Supreme Court rules labor hours for women unconstitutional. Section 10 of Erdman Act
dealing with “yellow dog” contracts declared unconstitutional
1909 20,000 female garment workers strike in NY - gain preferential
union hiring -board of arbitration & grievances. NAACP founded. GA
Railroad Strike. PA Steel Strike. CT Arsenal Strike
1910 PA Steel Strike. Cloakmaker’s Strike. 15-year-old Bessie
Noramowitz leads Chicago Clothing Maker’s Strike. General strike in
Philly and LA. Worker’s Compensation Acts passed in several states.
Accident rate for non-English speaking workers in Steel Factories twice
the national average
1911 Women admitted to IAM membership with equal rights. Supreme Court orders FL to cease promotion of
boycotts targeting Bucks Stove and Range Company. 147 workers lose their
lives in sweatshop fire at Triangle Shirtwaist Company in NYC - many
deaths due to locked doors designed to keep “unauthorized” breaks from
occurring. Illinois Central and Harriman Lines Rail Strike. Southern
Lumber Operator’s Lockout begins. National Safety Council formed to
promote business interest over safety of workforce
1912 Railway Employees Department established in AFL with Machinist A. O. Wharton as
President. Women and children beaten by police in textile strike in Ma. National Guard called
out to stop strike by WV coal miners. 2 women and 12 children machine
gunned by company guards in CO mining strike. Joe Hill executed in UT in
what many believed to be trumped up murder charges in attempt to silence
organizers voices across America. MA adopts first minimum wage standard
for women and minors. Chicago Newspaper Strike. Fur worker’s Strike.
“Bread and Roses” strike in MA involves 20,000 workers wins back wage
cuts. LA Timber Worker’s Strike. NYC Hotel Strikes. WV Mine Strikes
1913 International Workers of the World (IWW) leads unsuccessful
textile strike to stop wage cuts. US Department of Labor established.
Ludlow CO Massacre of union workers occurs. Machinist Strike and boycott
begins. MI Copper Strike. Rubber Worker’s Strike. Studebaker Auto
worker’s Strike. CA Hop riot occurs
1914 Nineteen UMWA men, women & children killed by Co State Militia in
“Ludlow Mining Massacre”. Congress passes Clayton Antitrust Act to limit
injunctions used in labor disputes making picketing illegal. Amalgamated
Clothing workers founded. Fulton Bag & Cotton Mill Strike
1915 IAM wins 8-hour in many shops and factories. IAM affiliates with International
Metalworkers Federation.
Congress passes La Follette Seaman’s Act to regulate working conditions
for seamen. Standard Oil Strike. Ohio Steel Strike. IWW organizer Joe
Hill executed in Utah
1916 Auto mechanics admitted to IAM membership. Congress
passes Federal Child Labor Law and Adamson Act (Child Labor Law later
declared unconstitutional - Admanson sets 8 hour workday for
railroaders) American Federation of Teachers founded. AZ Copper Strike.
Everett WA Massacre. MN Iron Range Strike. NYC Transit Strike. NY
Cloakmaker's Strike. SF Open Shop Campaign. Standard Oil Strike
1917 US enters WWI. Yellow Dog contracts upheld by Supreme Court. OK
Green Corn Rebellion. Tom Mooney sentenced to death in CA. AZ Miners’
Strike ends with 1200 strikers being deported to the desert by Sheriff's
Department. MT Miner's Strike. East St. Louis Race Riots. Pacific
Northwest Lumber Strike. Railroads federalized due to war
1918 IAM membership reaches 331,000.War Labor Board created. WWI ends. Women Trade Unionists’ hold first national
conference. Women in Industry division created in Labor Dept
1919 Postwar Strike waves sweep across US. Communist Party of America
founded. Red Scare begins. Actors’ Strike. Boston Police Strike (this is
the first public safety workers strike in US history). WA Massacre.
Chicago Race Riots. New England Telephone Strike. Seattle General
Strike. 16000 Silk workers strike in NJ for shorter workweek. Steel
Strike. Winnipeg General Strike
1920 Headquarters moved to first Machinists Building, at 9th & Mt.Vernon Pl., N.W.,
Washington, D.C. British Amalgamated Engineering Union cedes its North
American locals to IAM. Machinists earn 72 to 90 cents an hour for
44-hour week. Women’s Suffrage Amendment ratified. Transportation Act established
de-federalizes railroads and creation of Railroad Labor Board. Trade
Union Educational League formed. AL Miners’ Strike. Clothing Workers
Lockout. Matewan WV Massacre kills 10 in dispute over right to organize
coalminers
1921 Clayton Act ruled unconstitutional. Presidential Commission places
unemployment responsibility on local communities. Supreme Court rules AZ
law forbidding injunctions in labor disputes and permitting picketing
ruled unconstitutional. Depression begins. Seaman’s Strike. Coal Mine
Activist Hatfield & Chambers killed on steps of WV courthouse. Blair Mt
Battle in WV uses 2000 US troops to block organizers
1922 79,000 railroad machinists pin shopmen's strike against second post-war wage cut.
Membership declines to 148,000. UMWA wins court case holding them not responsible
for local strike actions and not in violation of conspiracy laws. Herrin
IL massacre occurs in which miners killed 20 guards and strike breakers
1924 IAM convention endorses Robert M. LaFollette, Sr., for President. Samuel
Gompers dies. William Green becomes AFL president. Amendment to restrict
child labor proposed but not enough states adopt measure to pass law
1925 Brotherhood of Sleeping Cars Porters founded. Anthracite coal
strike
1926 Railway Labor Act passes Congress - requires employers to bargain
with unions and forbids discrimination based on union activities. NJ
Textile strike
1927 IAM urges ratification of Child Labor Amendments to U.S. Constitution; 2,500,000
children under 16 are working at substandard wages. Two MA unionist - Sacco & Vanzetti
- executed for union activities. Bituminous coal strike. Longshoreman’s
& Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act passed. Journeymen Stone Cutters
found quality of interstate trade restraint in actions to prevent
purchase of nonunion cut stone
1928 250 delegates at 18th IAM convention urge 5-day week to alleviate unemployment.
MA Textile strike. AL outlaws convict labor system in coalmines
1929 Depression layoffs cut IAM membership to 70,000. Stock Market crashes. Great Depression begins.
Trade Union League forms. NC Textile strike. Conference for Progressive
Labor Action founded. Hayes-Cooper Act regulating shipment of prison
goods in interstate commerce approved. NC textile strike
1930 Supreme Court rules in union favor upholding Railway Labor Act
prohibiting interference in workers choice of unions. Union membership
around 3,000,000. National Unemployed Council formed. CA Farmworker's
strike
1931 Davis-Beacon Act passed to ensure prevailing wages paid to workers
involved in public works projects. Scottsboro Boys arrested in AL for
union activities. KY miner’s strike. FL Cigar Worker’s strike
1932 FD Roosevelt elected. Norris-LaGuardia Act passes to prohibit
federal injunctions in labor disputes and outlaws yellow dog contracts.
American Federation of Government Employees formed. CA Pea Pickers
strike. Century Airline’s Pilots strike. TN Coal strike. Ford Hunger
March in Detroit - four workers killed as protesters march on plant. CA
Tree Pruner’s strike. Wisconsin adopts first unemployment insurance act.
Nearly 30% of union members are jobless.
1933 IAM backs National Recovery drive and 40-hour week. FOR picks IAM
Vice President Robert Fechner to head new Civilian Conservative Corps.
IAM Membership sinks to 56,000. National Industrial Recovery Act passes
to guarantee right of employees to organize and bargain collectively.
Francis Perkins becomes first female presidential cabinet member.
Newspaper Guild formed. Briggs Manufacturing strike. Ca Farmworker’s
strike. Detroit Tool & Die strike. Hormel Meat packing strike. NM
Miner’s strike. Francis Perkins becomes first women elevated to
Secretary of Labor. Wagner-Peyser Act creates United States Employment
Service. Union membership at 2.6 million. Newspaper Guild founded.
Briggs Mfg. Strike. CA Farmworker's Strike. Detroit T&D Strike. Hormel
Strike. NM Miner’s Strike
1934 IAM establishes Research Department. Great
Uprising of Southern Millworker’s take 500,000 off the job. US joins
International Labour Organization. First National Labor Legislation
Conference held to work out national labor program. Southern Tenant
Farmer’s Strike. Harlem Boycott. MN Teamster’s Strike. Newark Newspaper
Strike. San Francisco Longshoreman's Strike. OH Auto-Lite Strike.
Textile Worker’s Strike
1935 IAM opens drive
to organize aircraft Industry.Wagner Act established to protect worker’s right
to organize and elect bargaining representatives. Committee for
Industrial Organization (CIO) formed within the AFL with help from JL
Lewis in the United Mine Workers organization. First link between
asbestos and lung cancer discovered. 108 black steelworkers sues US
Steel for unsafe working conditions
1936 First industrial union agreement signed with Boeing, Seattle. IAM convention
endorses FDR for President. Membership climbs to 130,000. United Rubber Workers at Goodyear
Tire & Rubber win recognition in first large sit-down strike. Byrnes Act
passed to make it illegal to transport or aid strikebreakers.
Walsh-Healey Act establishes labor standards for minimum wage, overtime
pay. Child & convict labor provisions & safety standards for federal
contracts
1937 IAM negotiates paid vacations in 26% of its agreements. Social Security and Railroad Retirement Acts now
in operation. UAW recognized by General Motors as legitimate bargaining
unit following yearlong sit-down strikes. Steel Workers Organizing
Committee recognized by US Steel as official bargaining unit for
employees and workers earn 10% wage increase with a workweek of five-8
hour days. Wagner Act upheld in Supreme Court. Chicago Memorial Day
Massacre claims the lives of 10 workers and wounds 80 by police breaking
up a support demonstration of steel workers rights. “Little Steel”
strikes broken as members go back to work without gaining right to
representation. AFL expels CIO with charges of dual unionism. Bureau of
Apprenticeship established with passing of National Apprenticeship Act.
AFL membership at 3.7 million and CIO membership at 3.4 million.
American Federation of State. County & Municipal Employees formed.
Walter Ruether and other UAW organizers beat by thugs in MI. Chocolate
Worker’s Strike Hershey PA plant.
1938 Federal Maritime Labor Board established. Fair Labor Standards act
sets minimum wage at twenty-five cents and time & a half for hours over
40 in one week. Child labor in interstate commerce banned. John L Lewis
becomes president of Congress of Industrial Organizations. Chicago
newspaper strike begins. Hilo HA massacre occurs. Strike at Maytag.
Supreme Court makes a decision that allows employers to permanently
replace striking workers.
1939 IAM signs first union agreement in air transport industry with Eastern. Auto Worker’s strike Chrysler. Tool
& Die Worker’s strike GM. Union workers total 8.9 million.
1940 Machinists rates average 80 cents an hour. IAM pledges full support to National
Defense program. IAM membership climbs to 188,000. AFL grows to 4.2 million as
organizing of industrial unions begin. Supreme Court rules sit down
strikes are not an illegal restraint of trade. Lewis resigns as
president of CIO and is replaced by Philip Murray. Ford Motor workers
strike.
1941 IAM pledges hail support to win the war including no-strike pledge. Ford Motor Company recognizes UAW
and the UAW secures the first union-shop agreement in the auto industry.
US enters WWII. AFL and CIO pledge not to strike for the duration of the
way. 10.4 million union members. Allis-Chamber strike. Captive Coal
Mines strike. International Harvester strike. NYC bus drivers strike.
North American Aviation workers strike.
1942 United Steel Workers of America replace earlier Steel Workers
Organizing Committee. National War Labor Board established by Roosevelt
to determine labor dispute settlements in time of war. Board requires
employers to enter into union security clauses. War Labor Board
establishes procedures for determining wage adjustments in wartime.
Stabilization Act passed giving presidential authority to stabilize
wagers at Sept ’42 levels
1943 Executive Order creates Committee on Fair Employment Practices to
stop discriminatory hiring in war industries based on race, creed,
color, or national origin. War Labor Act allows seizure of plants if
needed to stop interference in the war effort. Government takes over
coalmines to end UMWA strike – this paves the way for portal-to-portal
pay and other benefits.
1944 76,000 IAM members serve in armed forces. Total IAM membership now 776,000.
18.6 million workers in US are unionized and 3.5 million are women. Detroit
Race riots begin.
1945 First IAM agreement with Remington Rand. IAM convention votes to establish weekly
newspaper, education department. WWII ends. World Federation of Trade Unions
created. CIO affiliates with WFTU. AFL stays out of WFTU as they are
viewed as not free and democratic. 14.7 million union workers in US.
Philly Transit workers strike. Kelsey-Hayes workers strike. NYC
Longshoremen strike. Montgomery Ward workers strike. Oil Worker’s
strike.
1946 88% of IAM agreements now provide for paid vacations. The end of the war unleashes the largest wave of
strikes in history. In previous year, over 4700 strikes involving more
than 3.4 million worker sweep nation. NY city janitors win bid to have
cuspidors removed from offices citing health risks. UMWA wins health and
welfare fund. Coalmines again seized by government due to strikes.
Electrical Manufacturing Strikes. Pittsburg Power strike. Railroad
strike. Steelworkers strike US Steel in 30 states.
1947 IAM Legal Department established. Machinists average $1.56 an hour. Taft-Hartley Act passed to restrict
union activities and allow for “right to work” (FOR LESS!) laws by
individual states. Norris-La Guardia Act designed to prohibit
injunctions in labor disputes is denied as applicable in Government vs.
John L Lewis. RJ Reynolds strike. Telephone workers strike.
1948 IAM membership opened to all regardless of race or color. IAM convention endorses Harry
Truman for President. UAW
establishes first contract with GM that has automatic wage increases
based on CPI. First national conference on safety meets. Progressive
Party formed.
1949 Railroad machinists win 40 hour week. Membership down to 501,000. Child labor is directly prohibited
by amendment to Fair Labor Standards Act for the first time. CIO leads
an anti-communist drive at its annual convention leading to the
expulsion of two unions. Many unions engaged in democratic free trade
withdraw from WFTU and meet with 51 countries to form the International
Confederation of Free Trade Unions. HA Dock strike.
IAM joins International Transport Workers
Federation. Machinists now average $1.82 an hour. UAW secures five-year contract with automatic
COLA, modified union shops, and pension benefits. US enters Korean War.
NM miners begin “Salt of the Earth” strike.
1951 IAM pledges full support of UN action in Korea.
Taft-Hartley Act amended to allow union shop
negotiations to occur without prior employee polls.
1952 Employees on 85% of airlines now protected by IAM agreements. 92% of IAM contracts
provide for paid holidays. An 8-week strike in the Steel Industries follows the seizure by the
Federal Government after companies rejected Wage Stabilization Board
recommendations. Supreme Court rules Steel companies seizure as
unconstitutional. AFL President Green dies and George Meany takes the
position of president. Philip Murray. CIO President. dies and is
replaced by former UAW president Walter Ruether. Coal Mine Safety Act
passed. CA mine and mill operators win their seven-month strike. Steel
strike.
1953 IAM has contracts fixing wages and working conditions with 13,500 employers. IAM
Atomic Energy Conference organized. FL and CIO sign “no raiding” pact. LA Sugar Caner
Workers strike.
1954 Kohler strike begins.
1955 70% of IAM contracts now have health and welfare provisions. Machinists average
$2.33 an hour. George Meany leads efforts that result in re-unification of AFL and CIO, Machinist Al
Hayes elected Vice President and chairman of Ethical Practices
Committee. Meany is first president. Ford Motor gives in to union
demands for supplemental unemployment benefits. Southern Telephone
strike.
1956 2,000th active local chartered. New ten story Machinists Building dedicated at 1300
Connecticut Ave., Washington, DC. World Health Organization raises concerns linking
asbestos to cancer. Steel strike. Canadian Labour of Congress formed.
1957 Bakery Workers. Laundry Workers. and Teamsters are expelled from
AFL-CIO over a corruption scandal.
1958: IAM convention establishes a strike fund which was approved by
the membership in a referendum vote. IAM membership now tops 903,000.
1959 Landrum-Griffin Act passed to regulate union’s internal affairs in
wake of corruption scandals. Asbestos manufacturer Johns Manville tests
employees for but did not share results. Steel strike.
1960 IAM convention endorses JFK for President after personal visits from both Kennedy and
Richard Nixon. IAM convention establishes college scholarship program.
IAM establishes Labor Management Pension Fund. Over one million public employees are in unions.
DOL pushes for better safety and health standards in shipyards and
longshoreman jobs. Woolworth’s sit-in begins civil rights movement.
Negro American Labor Council formed. General Electric strike. Seaman’s
strike. Mother Jones passes away.
1962IAM Electronics Conference established. Machinists now average $3.10 an hour. President Kennedy signs Executive
Order allowing Federal employee’s unions right to bargain with all
government agencies. Unions stand at 16.5 million members. NYC Newspaper
strike. East Coast Longshoremen’s strike.
1963 Pay differences based on sex prohibited by Equal Pay Act. Kennedy
assassinated.
1964 IAM convention endorses LBJ for President, after a personal appearance. Delegates vote
to change name to International Association of Machinists and Aerospace
Workers. IAM Membership at 800,000. Civil Rights Act passed after years of struggles.
1965 United Farm Workers Committee formed. CA grape worker’s strike.
1966 IAM members strike five major airlines and finally break through unfair 3.2% limit
on wage increases. First dental care plan negotiated with Aerojet
General. Eleven unions bargain effectively with General Electric. NLRB insists that health and
safety are subject to mandatory bargaining. NYC Transportation strike -
Mike Quill leads Transit Worker Strike in New York City. Mike spent time
in jail; however, transits workers prevail and win all they struck for.
1967 Railroad machinists lead shopcrafts against nation's railroads. Congress forces return to work and
arbitration. Copper Strikes begin.
1968 IAM membership tops 1,000,000. Machinists average $3.44 an hour. Age Discrimination in Employment Act passed to
protect workers between 40 and 65 years of age. Alliance for Labor
Action formed as UAW withdraws from AFL-CIO and joins Teamsters. WV
coalmine explosion kills 78 miners. 28% of America’s workforce is union
– 18.9 million. Prisoners I n textile operations in Atlanta find high
levels of brown lung. Nixon elected president. Martin Luther King Jr
assassinated while supporting TN sanitation strike. NYC Teacher’s
strike.
1969 IAM member, Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin, the first space mechanic walks on the moon. Philadelphia construction
industries pressured by Department of Labor to promote minority hiring.
SC Hospital Worker’s strike.
1970 IAM is one of 19 unions in first successful coordinated bargaining effort against GE.
US Postal Service struck by employees. Hawaii allows local and state officials to strike – a first
in the US. OSHA established by Congress. 42000 WV coalminer’s go on
wildcat strike to get Black Lung compensation rights.
1971 IAM wins biggest back pay award in history, more than $54,500,00 for 1,000
members locked out illegally by National Airlines. IAM establishes Job
Safety & Health Department. NYC Police strike.
1972 IAM membership drops to 902,000 as a result of recession and layoffs in defense
industries. IAM President Floyd Smith quits U.S. Pay Board to protest
unfair economic policies. IAM convention endorses Sen. George McGovern
for President. Black Lung Benefits Act passes. GM strike. Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act
takes effect. Farah Clothing Worker’s strike. OH Auto Worker’s strike.
Philly teacher’s strike. Quebec general strike begins.
1973 IAM and UAW hold first joint Legislative Conference with 1,000 delegates in
attendance. Machinists average $4.71 an hour. IAM membership rises to
927,000. United Steel Workers gives up right to strike in return for binding arbitration in an
experimental negotiation agreement. Civil Service workers in Washington
gain nation’s first rights to unionize this sector. Caesar Chavez leads
United Farm Workers into the AFL-CIO.
1974 Watergate Scandal breaks and casts suspicions on unions. Coalition
of Labor Union women formed. Employee Retirement Income Security Act
regulates pension funds. Public employee department created in AFL-CIO.
Non-profit hospital workers win right to organize. Baltimore Police
strike. Karen Silkwood dies mysteriously during organizational drive
with Oil. Chemical. and Atomic workers at Kerr-McGee.
1975 District 837 Strikes McDonnell Douglas.
AFSCME, representing public employees, leads 80,000-person strike.
Congress defeats union’s attempt to reform labor laws.
1976 IAM convention endorses Jimmy Carter for U.S. President Delegates vote to set up Civil
Rights and Organizing departments and expand community services program.
Women union workers are 4.3 million strong. Carter elected US president. Congress beats back attempt
to allow construction workers a right to organize and strike. 1 million
Canadian workers stage demonstrations against wage controls.
1977 William W.Winpisinger sworn in as the lAM's 11th president. Minimum wage increased to $2.65. Coal Strike.
Coors Beer strike and Boycott begins. J.P.Stevens workers strike. MN
Bank Workers strike.
1978 Union jobs in manufacturing decreases by 400,000. Federal
employees win right to organize with Civil Service Reform Act. Four
month coal miner strike focuses Ion right to strike for safety reasons.
PA Newspaper strike.
1979 Lake Kirkland becomes AFL-CIO president. Independent Trucker’s
strike. Citizen/Labor Energy Coalition launches first Stop Big Oil day
to protest obscene profits by oil conglomerates while American workers'
paychecks continue to shrink.
1980 IAM media project begins. Thousands of IAM members and their families monitor
prime time TV to determine media's portrayal of working people and
unions. Joyce Meyers becomes first women on AFL-CIO Executive Board. Reagan elected US president.
1981 Older Workers and Retired Members Department is established at Grand Lodge.
Reagan fires most American air traffic controllers and de-certifies their union. 500,000 workers march
on DC to protest budget cuts and labor policies under Reagan. Baseball
Player’s strike.
1982: Reaganomics grips nation. Individual and corporate bankruptcies
reach epidemic proportions. IAM membership begins drop to 820,211.
1983 IAM introduces 'Rebuilding America' act to Congress as alternative to Reaganomics and
to rebuild nation’s industrial base. Philip Dodge Copper strike.
1984 IAM convention in Seattle WA, endorses Walter Mondale for U.S. President. Delegates
vote funding for Placid Harbor Education Center to improve the level of
understanding of workers in an ever changing world. Reagan re-elected. Yale University
Clerical Worker’s strike.
1985 Hormel Meatpacker’s strike begins. LA Sanitation District Strike.
1986 Federal Right to Know standards established. Federal regulations
on asbestos in America’s schools are established. TWA Flight Attendant’s
strike. USX (US STEEL) Lockout.
1987 IAM Executive Council establishes new Organizing Department, the first ever to be
headed by a Vice President. First IAM Communications Conference convened
in Kansas City, MO. Paper Worker’s Strike and Lockout starts. Professional Football Payer’s
strike.
1988 IAM celebrates 100th anniversary in Atlanta, GA, on May 5. George Bush elected US President. NY Home Care
Worker’s strike – 60,000 strong
1989 George J.Kourpias sworn in as the IAM's 12th president.Eastern Airline Worker’s strike. Pittston Coal
struck by Mine Workers.
1990 Delta Pride Catfish Worker’s strike.
1991 300,000-unionist march on DC demanding workplace fairness and
health care reform. 25 workers killed in non-union Imperial Food plant.
Hotel Normandy strike.
1992 IAM moves to new state-of-the-art headquarters building in Upper Marlboro, MD, to
keep pace with technological changes and serve members' needs well into
21st Century; IAM convenes 33rd convention at Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Clinton elected US president. Caterpillar strike. Police attack janitors demonstrating for
justice on the job in Century City.
1993 Decatur IL Staley Lockout. North American Free Trade Agreement
passed. Caesar Chavez dies.
1994: International Woodworkers of America ratify merger agreement.
More than 20,000 members join IAM family. Some 8,000 USAir fleet service
workers say "IAM yes." Machinist newspaper bids fond farewell, reborn as
IAM Journal magazine.
1995: IAM, Auto and Steelworker unions debate plans for unification by
year 2000. Unity plan sparks solidarity. Plan would create largest, most
diverse union in North America, with more than 2,000,000 active members,
1, 400, 000 retirees. Sixty-nine day strike brings major victory in new
contract at Boeing. Members air their views during first round of Town
Hall meetings.
1996 IAM District 837 strikes McDonnell Douglas in STL. Fighting Machinists' spearhead political battle for
worker rights. Union efforts provide winning edge in Clinton-Gore
presidential victory. Meeting in Chicago, IAM Convention delegates build
bridge to 21st century. Delegates establish IAM Women's Department.
1997 On July 1, Robert Thomas Buffenbarger, 46, takes office as13th
International president in 109-year IAM history, moves quickly to
reshape Union to reflect growing diversity, interests, concerns of IAM
members. Former IAM President Winpisinger dies Dec. 11.
1998 New Blue Ribbon Commission empanelled to provide membership forum
to voice opinions. Placid Harbor facility renamed Winpisinger Education
and Technology Center to
honor visionary union leader, who brought the facility into being.