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Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson
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Shoemakers Organize America's First Union
In 1794 the creation of the Federal Society of Journeymen Cordwainers of Philadelphia worked to protect the wages of shoe-workers. This was known as the first union ever started in America. The shoe-makers union was formed to help protect against lowering the wages of shoemakers, who at the time worked in a very profitable business. -
Mother Jones
Mother Jones was a Miners rights activist, who tried to help end Child Labor and help Miners get their Rights, She was most know for her Unique ways of rallying people to support her cause. This ranged from speaking words of encouragement to words of embarrassment. -
National Labor Union is Created
Towards the end of slavery, many laborers wanted to capitalize on national sentiment and pursue better conditions for themselves. Thus it caused the formation of the National Labor Union. This was the first nationally organized union, and they helped raise awareness of labor fairness. -
Department of Labor is formed
This was a huge development of Labor rights, as it showed representation on a cabinet level agency. The bill signed by President William Howard Taft on March 4, 1913 -
Sidney Hillman
Sidney Hillman was the founder of Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America (now UNITE!) and its president from 1914 to 1946. He invented the idea of trade unionism, and he sought constructive cooperation to maintain economic health in the industry, as well as raise employee standards. Being a friend of President Franklin Roosevelt, he played a huge part in shaping landmark labor legislation protecting workers' rights and living standards. -
Joe Hill
Was known as the Martyr for Labor Rights, Joe Hill was a singer, songwriter, and laborer, who was convicted of murder. Before dying he spoke the words "Don't waste time mourning, Organize!" This caused him to have a greater influence than when he was alive. -
Delano Grape Strike
The Delano grape strike was a labor strike organized by the AWOC, a predominantly Filipino and AFL-CIO-sponsored labor organization, against table grape growers in Delano, California to fight against the exploitation of farm workers. -
The Giumarra Family Decides to Negotiate
The Union after a long time finally manages to make the largest grape produces in California to form a contract promising higher pay. -
Cesar Chavez
Born in 1979 Cesar Chavez was a well known civil rights leader that helped form Unions to help farm workers. He helped coordinate many boycotts as well as many protests. He was heavily influenced by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and he held many peaceful protests. -
Lane Kirkland
Lane Kirkland was the President of the AFL-CIO from 1979 to 1995. During his time as President under great turmoil, he managed to reunify broken up Major Unions, and even was a pivotal reason that Soviet-dominated regimes collapsed in Eastern Europe. -
Commonwealth Club Address by Cesar Chavez
