Historical Events tagged with "union"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Politics & Government

Benelux Union Established Between Three Nations

September 5th, 1944 80 years ago

Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg agreed to form a customs union and promote economic collaboration. The agreement was solidified in the wake of World War II and was aimed at fostering cooperation and recovery among the three nations, which had faced occupation and conflict. This collaboration was formalized in what would be known as the Benelux treaty, marking a significant shift towards regional integration in Europe.

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Crime & Law

Supreme Court Limits NLRB Authority in Strikes

February 27th, 1939 86 years ago

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) lacks the authority to compel employers to rehire workers who participated in sit-down strikes. This ruling arose from the case NLRB v. Fansteel Metallurgical Corp., where the Supreme Court assessed the legality of the sit-down strike tactic. The decision was pivotal, clarifying the boundaries of labor rights and the NLRB's enforcement capabilities.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Chicago Police Kill Labor Protesters

May 30th, 1937 87 years ago

On May 30, 1937, ten labor demonstrators were shot and killed by Chicago police during a sit-down strike at the Republic Steel plant. The protesters were advocating for better working conditions and union recognition. The police were called to disperse the crowd, which had swelled significantly. The violent clash, characterized by a brutal display of force, resulted in numerous injuries and sparked widespread outrage across the nation.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

UAW and Ford Clash at River Rouge

May 26th, 1937 87 years ago

Walter Reuther and members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) confronted Ford Motor Company security guards at the River Rouge Complex in Dearborn, Michigan, while distributing UAW literature to workers. This confrontation escalated into a physical conflict as UAW members sought to organize workers and gain support for unionization efforts against Ford's anti-union policies. The incident highlighted tensions between labor representatives and company security, emblematic of the broader struggle for workers' rights in the automotive industry during this period.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Collective Bargaining Agreement with U.S. Steel Signed

March 2nd, 1937 88 years ago

The Steel Workers Organizing Committee, representing steel workers, successfully signed a collective bargaining agreement with U.S. Steel. This landmark agreement marked a pivotal moment in labor relations, establishing essential rights for workers in the steel industry and leading to greater union organization across the sector. The agreement was visible in the changing landscape of labor rights in America.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Police Clash with Striking Teamsters in Minneapolis

July 20th, 1934 90 years ago

During the Minneapolis Teamsters Strike, police opened fire on striking truck drivers, resulting in two fatalities and numerous injuries. Tensions escalated as union members protested for better labor conditions and rights. This violent confrontation reflected the ongoing labor unrest throughout the United States in the early 1930s, highlighting the struggle between workers and law enforcement.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Battle of Toledo: Workers Clash with National Guard

May 23rd, 1934 90 years ago

The Auto-Lite strike in Toledo escalated into violent confrontations, known as the 'Battle of Toledo,' between approximately 1,300 Ohio National Guard troops and around 6,000 striking workers. This five-day conflict emerged as a culmination of local tensions surrounding labor rights, industry practices, and rising unemployment during the Great Depression. Strikers sought better wages and working conditions against the backdrop of economic despair, leading to a historic showdown in the streets of Toledo, Ohio.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Auto-Lite Strike Sparks Violent Clashes

April 12th, 1934 90 years ago

The U.S. Auto-Lite strike began in Toledo, Ohio, resulting in a violent confrontation between approximately 6,000 striking workers and the Ohio National Guard. Workers protested for better wages, working conditions, and recognition of their union. The situation escalated over several days, leading to the deployment of guard troops to suppress the uprising, marking a significant labor conflict of the era.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

1919 Steel Strike Across the United States

September 22nd, 1919 105 years ago

A massive steel strike began in Pennsylvania, initiated by the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers. The strike quickly spread across the nation as frustrated workers sought better pay, improved working conditions, and recognition of their union. The discontent stemmed from inflation and labor exploitation, following World War I, as steel workers demanded fair treatment and working rights. This labor action engulfed multiple steel mills throughout the industrial heartland, revealing the deep tensions between labor and management in the post-war economy.

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