Today in labor history April 15

[Omaha Steve]

April 15


April 15, 1889 - A. Philip Randolph, an African-American and one of the most influential leaders of the U.S. labor movement, was born. The organizer and president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, an all-black union, Randolph said: "The essence of trade unionism is uplift. The labor movement traditionally has been the haven for the dispossessed, the despised, the neglected, the downtrodden, and the poor."

For more on A. Philip Randolph, visit these websites: http://www.aphiliprandolphmuseum.com/ and http://www.apri.org/
IWW union Agricultural Workers Organization formed in Kansas City, Mo. - 1915

Teacher unionists gather at the City Club on Plymouth Court in Chicago to form a new national union: the American Federation of Teachers – 1916

Start of ultimately successful six-day strike across New England by what has been described as the first women-led American union, the Telephone Operators Department of IBEW - 1919

Transport Workers Union founded – 1934


April 15, 1947 - Jackie Robinson stepped onto Ebbets field as a rookie for the Brooklyn Dodgers, becoming the first black to play major league baseball in the modern era. African-Americans had played on a number of teams prior to the turn of the 20th century, but the sport soon became segregated.

For more on Jackie Robinson, visit these websites: http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/robinson_jackie.htm

http://www.time.com/time/time100/heroes/profile/robinson01.html

http://www.jackierobinson.org/jackie/