May 13
May 13, 1893 - The Western Federation of Miners was founded. Active in the early part of the 20th century, one of its leaders was "Big Bill" Haywood. When the union disintegrated, some members went on to form the "Wobblies," the Industrial Workers of the World.
The Canadian government establishes the Department of Labour. It took the U.S. another four years - 1909
10,000 IWW dock workers strike in Philadelphia - 1913
Thousands of yellow cab drivers in New York City go on a one day strike in protest of proposed new regulations. “City officials were stunned by the (strike’s) success,” the New York Times reported - 1998
Labor history found here:
http://www.biglabor.com/history.php & here:
http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?history_9_05_13_2009