Today in Labor History July 24 Support of the civil rights movement and opposition to the war in Nam

[Omaha Steve]

July 24

July 24, 1949 - Richard Trumka, the fiery leader of the United Mine Workers, was born. The son of coal miners, he attended law school and rose through the ranks of the union to become one of the country’s youngest union presidents. In 1995, he was elected secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO on a slate with John Sweeney.

The United Auto Workers and the Teamsters form the Alliance for Labor Action (ALA), later to be joined by several smaller unions. The ALA's agenda included support of the civil rights movement and opposition to the war in Viet Nam. It disbanded after four years following the death of UAW President Walter Reuther - 1968

The U.S. minimum wage increases to $6.55 per hour today. The original minimum, set in 1938 by the Fair Labor Standards Act, was 25 cents per hour - 2008

U.S. minimum wage rises to $7.25 per hour, up from $6.55 - 2009

Labor history found here: http://www.unionist.com/today-in-labor-history & here: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?history_9_07_24_2010