Today in labor history Cesar Chavez born, 10 hour work day approved, CCC approved

[Omaha Steve]

March 31

President Martin Van Buren issues a broadly-applicable executive order granting the 10 hour day to all government employees engaged in manual labor. - 1840

Cowboys earning $40 per month begin what is to become an unsuccessful 2 1/2 month strike for higer wages at five ranches in the Texas Panhandle - 1883


March 31, 1927 - Cesar Chavez was born. He became not only the leader of the United Farm Workers, but a conscience for the nation. For more on the life of Cesar Chavez, visit the UFW website, http://www.ufw.org/_page.php?menu=research&inc=history/07.html and the PBS site, The Fight in the Fields, http://www.pbs.org/itvs/fightfields/timeline.html

Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt signs legislation establishing the Civilian Conservation Corps, to help alleviate suffering during the Depression. By the time the program ended after the start of World War II it had provided jobs for more than six million men and boys. The average enrollee gained 11 pounds in his first three months - 1933

Wisconsin state troopers fail to get scabs across the picket line to break a 76-day Allis-Chalmers strike in Milwaukee led by UAW Local 248. The plant remained closed until the government negotiated a compromise - 1941