Today in Labor History Oct 12, 14 miners killed, 22 wounded, Miners Day & “Virden Riot”

[Omaha Steve]

October 12

Company guards kill at least eight miners who are attempting to stop scabs, Virden, Ill. Six guards also were killed, and 30 persons wounded - 1898

And this: October 12, 1898 - For many years, October 12 was known as “Miners Day” and was the occasion of a big gathering at the Union Miners’ Cemetery in Mount Olive, Illinois. The cemetery is the final resting place for scores of union miners who were denied burial in “respectable” cemeteries. They include several killed in the “Virden Riot” of October 1898, when miners engaged in a shootout with mine guards attempting to bring in strikebreakers. The best-known resident of Union Miners’ Cemetery is Mary Harris “Mother” Jones, who before her death on December 1, 1930, asked to be buried there, “under the clay with those brave boys.”

14 miners killed, 22 wounded by scabherders at Pana, Ill. - 1902

2,000 workers demanding union recognition close down dress manufacturing, Los Angeles - 1933


More than 1 million Canadian workers demonstrate against wage controls - 1976

Labor history found here: http://www.unionist.com/today-in-labor-history & here: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?history_9_10_12_2010