Today in labor history September 3, 25 workers die, locked fire doors to prevent theft 1991

[Omaha Steve]

September 03

National Association of Letter Carriers formed - 1894


September 3, 1916 - Railroad workers won the eight-hour day. The legislation, called the Adamson Act, marked the first time a group of private sector workers had their working hours regulated by the federal government. It was one of many reforms pushed by the progressive movement of the early 20th century.

Some 300 musicians working in Chicago movie houses strike to protest their impending replacement by talking movies - 1928

Labor Day postage stamp is issued, the first US stamp honoring workers. It features detail from a tile mosaic at the new AFL-CIO building in Washington, D.C. - 1956

Twenty-five workers die, unable to escape a fire at the Imperial Poultry processing plant in Hamlet, NC. Managers had locked fire doors to prevent the theft of chicken nuggets. The plant had operated for 11 years without a single safety inspection - 1991