On this day in Labor History the year was 1946.
That was the day the working people of New York stood up in true labor solidarity.
It all started at stroke midnight on May 15th as messengers delivered the following statement to 489 municipal employees:
“This is to advise you that the position held by you in the Department of Public Works has been abolished by the City Manager and your services with the City of Rochester are terminated as of midnight, this date. This action is the result of a change of policy deemed necessary to protect public interest.”
What was the workers’ so-called act against public interest? Trying to form a union.
Earlier that May city workers had founded the Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 871 as part of the AFL.
The next day 500 city workers crowded into the Carpenters Hall to figure out what to do next.
Teamsters Locals 118 and 398 pledged their support.
The area labor councils of both the AFL and CIO met to plan their response.
On May 20, labor called for a public protest and 24-hour a day pickets of the Department of Public Works.
The next day 54 picketers were arrested.
Finally, at 3 am on this day in labor history a city-wide general strike was declared.
Newspaper presses fell silent and buses did not run.
More than 13,000 members of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers union walked off the job.
In all, more than 30,000 workers joined the strike.
After one day, the city gave in.
They agreed to reinstate the fired workers and recognize their right to form a union.
Today public unions are again under attack, and labor solidarity is more important than ever.
Will you stand with your fellow worker?
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Labor History in 2:00 brought to you by the Illinois Labor History Society and The Rick Smith Show