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“The country is governed for the richest, for the corporations, the bankers, the land speculators, and for the exploiters of labor...The majority of mankind is ground down by industrial oppression in order that the small remnant may live in ease.” - Helen Keller, American icon, IWW member, Social Justice Activist
This Week in Labor History (May 14 – 20):
Wednesday, May 14:
"We Want Beer!!" marches are held in cities all over America, with 15,000 unionized workers demonstrating in Detroit. Prohibition is repealed next year. -1932
Milwaukee brewery workers begin 10-week strike, demanding contracts comparable to east and west coast workers. The strike was won because Blatz Brewery accepts their demands; Blatz was later ousted from the Brewers Association for “unethical” business methods in retribution. -1953
Thursday, May 15:
Supreme Court rules in favor of Samuel Gompers and other union leaders for supporting a boycott at the Buck Stove and Range Co. in St. Louis, workers were striking for a 9-hour day. A lower court had sentenced the unionists to prison for refusing to obey an anti-boycott injunction. -1906
Utah Phillips, American labor organizer, folk singer, and storyteller born. He described the struggles of labor unions, the power of direct action and was a proud member of the IWW. -1935
National Labor Relations Act passed, recognizing workers' right to organize and bargain collectively. -1935
T-Bone Slim, IWW songwriter, died. T-Bone wrote such Wobbly classics as “The Popular Wobbly,” and “The Lumberjack’s Prayer”. T-Bone quote: “Wherever you find injustice, the proper form of politeness is attack.” -1942
Friday, May 16:
Legendary Black labor leader and peace activist A. Philip Randolph dies. He was president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and first Black person on the AFL-CIO executive board, and a principal organizer of the 1963 March on Washington. -1979
Baristas at the Starbucks in East Grand Rapids announced their membership in the IWW Starbucks Workers Union. Starbucks, notorious for poor treatment of workers, followed with numerous anti-labor violations and was forced by the NLRB to settle Grand Rapids Union worker complaints in October. - 2007
Saturday, May 17:
Tom Mooney‘s scheduled date of execution was stayed while case was appealed. Mooney ultimately spent 22 years in prison for the San Francisco Preparedness Day Parade bombing in 1916, a crime he did not commit. Mooney was a member of the IWW and was ultimately railroaded because of his union affiliation. -1917
The government seizes the nation's railroads to head off a nation-wide strike. Workers strike anyway on the 23rd and only the President's threat to draft the strikers and call up the army to run the railroads forces them back to work. -1946
Sunday, May 18:
Big Bill Haywood, founding member and leader of the Industrial Workers of the World (the Wobblies), dies. Born in Utah Haywood was frequently the target of prosecutors and the anti-union Capitalist interest. He was one of 101 IWW members convicted for their public opposition to the U.S. entering WWI. -1928
Oklahoma jury finds for the estate of atomic worker, union activist, and OCAW member Karen Silkwood, orders Kerr-McGee Nuclear Co. to pay $505,000 in actual damages, $10 million in punitive damages for negligence leading to Silkwood’s plutonium contamination. Silkwood was killed and all of her documentation was stolen when her car was run off the road after announcing at a union meeting that she was going public with evidence of company wrong doing. -1979
Monday, May 19:
216 (UMW) miners die from an explosion and its aftermath at the Fraterville Mine in Anderson County, Tenn. All but 3 of Fraterville’s adult males were killed. -1902
Shootout in Matewan, W. Va., between striking union miners (with the support of the Labor friendly Police Chief Sid Hatfield) and coal company agents. 10 were killed. The episode became known as the “Matewan Battle”, and is depicted in John Sayles’ film Matewan. Leading up to the battle numerous miners had been assassinated by vigilantes, company goons and detectives. -1920
A total of 31 Longshoremen are killed, 350 others are injured when 4 barges carrying 467 tons of ammunition blow up at South Amboy, N.J. They were loading mines that had been deemed unsafe by the Army and were being shipped to the Asian market for sale. -1950
Tuesday, May 20:
The first American public school was established in Dorchester, Ma. 148 years before the U.S. Constitution was penned. (Free public education runs deep in our history, it's our greatest legacy, our birthright and our future.) -1639
Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) wins Free-Speech Fight, Roosevelt University, Chicago. Founded in 1905 the IWW has, for over 120 years, defended and fought for our rights guaranteed in the U.S. Bill of Rights and in support of democracy and union rights. -1964
This Week in Labor History is compiled by Kevin D. Curtis
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BUTTE, MT — Butte SPIRIT Homes is excited to announce its upcoming Singo Fundraiser,
taking place on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the Butte Elks Lodge on Galena Street. Doors will
open at 5:00 PM for food and socializing, with Singo beginning at 6:00 PM.
Singo is a high-energy, music-driven spin on traditional bingo. Instead of numbers, players listen
for popular songs and mark their cards accordingly. The event promises a fun, lively evening for
all ages. Entry is $10, which includes admission and two Singo cards.
Guests will enjoy $5 Tacos, along with a 50/50 raffle and silent auction featuring a range of
exciting items and experiences. All proceeds from the event support the mission of Butte
SPIRIT Homes: providing safe, sober, and supportive transitional housing for individuals in
recovery from addiction.
“This event is all about bringing the community together for a good time and a great cause,” said
Demetrius Fassas, Executive Director at Butte SPIRIT Homes. “Every dollar raised helps us
continue to offer critical housing and recovery support for people working hard to rebuild their
lives.”
To purchase tickets, view sponsorship options, or make a donation, visit:
https://buttespiritcenter.harnessgiving.org/events/2716
About Butte SPIRIT Homes:
Butte SPIRIT Homes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals in early
recovery from addiction. Through peer-based support, structured transitional housing, and
comprehensive case management, Butte SPIRIT Homes offers a safe and empowering
environment where individuals can rebuild their lives with dignity, stability, and hope.
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