Today in labor history January 27

January 27

New York City maids organize to improve working conditions – 1734

Samuel Gompers, first AFL president, born in London, England. He emigrated to the U.S. as a youth - 1850

Mine explosion in Mount Pleasant, Penn. leaves more than 100 dead – 1891

First meeting of the International Labor Organization (ILO) – 1920

Kansas miners strike against compulsory arbitration - 1920

A group of Detroit African-American auto workers known as the Eldon Avenue Axle Plant Revolutionary Union Movement leads a wildcat strike against racism and bad working conditions. They are critical of both automakers and the UAW, condemning the seniority system and grievance procedures as racist - 1969