Today in labor history Aug 16 Congress passes the National Apprenticeship Act

[Omaha Steve]

August 16

George Meany, plumber, founding AFL-CIO president, born in City Island, Bronx. In his official biography, George Meany and His Times, he said he had "never walked a picket line in his life." He also said he took part in only one strike (against the United States Government to get higher pay for plumbers on welfare jobs) - 1894


And this: August 16, 1894 - George Meany, the American Federation of Labor president who helped facilitate the partnership with the Congress of Industrial Organizations to form the AFL-CIO, was born. A plumber by trade, he became the first AFL-CIO president in 1955.

Homer Martin, early United Auto Workers leader, born in Marion, Ill. - 1902

Congress passes the National Apprenticeship Act, establishing a national advisory committee to research and draft regulations establishing minimum standards for apprenticeship programs. It was later amended to permit the Labor Dept. to issue regulations protecting the health, safety and general welfare of apprentices, and to encourage the use of contracts in their hiring and employment - 1937

National Agricultural Workers Union merges into Amalgamated Meat Cutters & Butcher Workmen - 1960

International Union of Wood, Wire & Metal Lathers merges with United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners - 1979

Labor history found here: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?history_9_08_16_2010 & here: http://www.unionist.com/today-in-labor-history