Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
 

The 100th anniversary of this fire is upon us, and HBO is airing a documentary "Remembering the Fire" linkyloo

The fire has always been an important part of our history, but in this time of union slashing and the destruction of the working class by republicans and our country's wealthiest citizens, knowing about the fire, the women, and the impact it has had on labor in this country is critical.

Keep a box of kleenex near by, it's a devastating story.

Thanks for reminding everyone about this.
So much of what we take for granted - especially workplace health and safety standards - were the result of horrific events.
Organized labor is a good thing. Don't be fooled by corporate misrepresentations of what's happening.

I am so happy to see pro union folk posting here on B-F. I am a Michigander now living in the right to work state of Florida. Unionism is one of those subject that people have deeply held feelings about, making it hard to effect opinion change.

Unionism began to develop after the US Civil War, and Southern politicians of the time successfully kinked unionism to Northern Domination and control that were so strongly hated in the South. thereby limiting the spread of unionism in the South. This is why wages in the South are generally lower than wages in the North.

SO MANY benefits that we take for granted in todays work place were non-exixtant prior to unions.

The 8 hour work day.
overtime pay.
time off for lunch.
work breaks,
the 40 hour work week,
paid holidays,
sick time,
vacation days,
company paid health insurance,
company paid life insurance,
grievance procedures,

are some of these.

Thank you Unions - mine was the UAW (United Auto Workers.)

...and thank you MsDeameanor for this great thread.

Smooches,
Keri

I support unions. They saw my grandfather and uncles through a lot up north with United Mine Workers and various others.
Here in a FL right to work state unions have no power and less everyday. They are even unafraid to stand behind their workers not caring even when they are a union rep. But I blame that on bureacracy.

I am of a generation that was actually taught the history of labor unions and the labor movement in high school.....they don't teach it anymore. I learned about the Triangle murders in high school. It's always puzzled me that folks are always talking about when mothers did not work outside the home. That little fairy tale has never been true. It was all women in that fire.

I have never been a big fan of a standing labor union and vehemently disagree with some of it's tactics to this day. I DO absolutely without reservation support the right to collective bargaining.

Funny thing is now happening based on how 'The Captains and the Kings' are behaving. Right now, today, we do need standing labor unions..........we need that voice representing labor organized and fighting. Those carpetbagging asshats have pushed me into supporting standing labor unions.

I live in an at will state,wich means u can be let go for any reason or none at all from a job.when I worked for the casino hear for a fue years the casino workers union came to get folks to sign and join,would have been a great idea but at pre shift we were told in a somewhat snarky way to dis reguard the unions atempt to get new members.It would have been good for the casino workers but it never panned out cause to many were scared of loseing there jobs if they joined.I dont know if they woud have but it shure would have been somekind of doings going on about it.

I, too went to school when the US labor union movement was taught- and labor unions were respected. Also, I attended public school in California prior to Proposition 13- you know, when it ranked in the top 10!

Also, being from an immigrant working class- actually "labor" (as in picking up garbage in gunny sacks, digging ditches as an unskilled worker) background, my Pop was involved in the early labor movement and talked of it often. There were quite a few child laborers in my family that worked in fields and factories during the early 20th Century- and this included my mother and Aunts. Many in my family work with their hands and backs today.

Large corporations have a lot to gain in busting unions- their bottom-line for shareholders.

The moves to strip public employees of collective bargaining all over the US at this time to me, is a step closer to taking down all unions which is a neo-con's wet dream.

Leaving out the historical basis for forming labor unions in US public education is part and parcel of the goal of union busting throughout the country that based upon tenets of aristocracy. It is as much about social standing and keeping people "in their place" as it is about profits or state and local budgets.

gotta laugh. ;)

I was also taught the history of Unions and the labor movement in the U.S. Plus, I grew up in San Francisco which was a tight Union town at that time. I had relatives on the East Coast who were very involved with the Labor Movement. I also think my maternal grandfather was, but he died when I was 6, and when I've tried to talk to my mom about it, she changes the subject.

That we still need Unions seems like a no brainer to me.

I am waiting for some "come-back" TV ads to the recent attacks on public empoyee union representation that is a direct result of Carl Rove getting the "big bucks" rolling. He came t9o the aid of Scott Walker along with his corporate and GOP crones.

Honestly, unions, especially those representing the public employee need to wage a counter campaign. Ads with fire fighters, cops, public ER workers, etc. and teachers need to be out there. This anti-labor union sentiment has firtile ground to grow on during a time of recession, high unemployment, and lost tax revenues causing big budget shortages.

This really is a serious time.

I am so right there with you rah rah rah!!!!
Smooches,
Keri

I am wondering this same thing. Maybe they think they are getting enough press for free from the (not!) liberal press? I always wonder the same thing about Dems when they get attacked - they just ignore the attacks and keep pressing on. But sometimes you have got to challnge the attacks. Lies told over and over are often perceived as truth.

Smooches,
Keri

I was surprised (and pleased) that my local news station in this right to work (translate that to right to be slaves) state of Florida, covered this anniversary. They even said it was the recognised event that got the labor union movement going. We need that movement right now and particularly here in Florida where our totally deranged newly elected governor is doing his best to destroy the already weak educational system.

Might have a good effect for all those who are so uptight about all the illegal immigrant workers in our country. If we produce enough uneducated, unemployeable folks in our state, THEY will fill those jobs that supposedly no American wants!!!

Smooches,
Keri