On this day in labor history, the year was 1911.
That was the day Big Bill Haywood of the Industrial Workers of the World gave his speech on “The General Strike.”
He presented it in New York City, at a fundraiser for the Buccafori Defense Fund.
Vincent Buccafori was the shop representative for his union.
He faced repeated harassment and discharge by his foreman for executing his union duties.
Finally, as witnesses described, the foreman fired Buccafori and punched him, drawing blood.
Then, he came at Buccafori with a heavy object.
Buccafori shot and killed him in self-defense.
He was charged with manslaughter, convicted and sentenced to ten years at Sing Sing prison.
The IWW raised money for his defense and fought for his acquittal and release.
Haywood arrived at the fundraiser to deliver a key speech titled, “The General Strike.”
In it, he reviewed the rich history of workers actions since the days of the Paris Commune in 1871.
He also raged against electoral reform.
He stated: “…the broadest interpretation of political power comes through the industrial organization; it gives the vote to women, it reenfranchises the black man and places the ballot in the hands of every boy and girl employed in a shop, makes them eligible to take part in the general strike, makes them eligible to legislate for themselves where they are most interested in changing conditions, namely, in the place where they work…”
He continued, “You have all the industries in your own hands at the present time. There is this justification for political action, and that is, to control the forces of the capitalists that they use against us. That is the reason that you should fully understand the power of the ballot.”
September 19 - The End of My Sweet Jennie
September 18 - The Atlanta Compromise
September 17 - Striking in the South
September 16 - NHL Managers Lock Out Players
September 15 - The Invergordon Mutiny
September 14 - The Murder of Ella Mae Wiggins
September 13 - Attica!
September 12 - The Making of a National Treasure
September 11 - The Christiana Riot
September 10 - Minneapolis Printers Organize
September 9 - The Hanapepe Massacre
September 8 - Defying Nazi Occupation
September 7 - The Federal Employees Compensation Act
September 6 - Jane Addams is Born
September 5 - The First Labor Day Parade
September 4 - The Peekskill Riots
September 3 - Locked in to Die
September 2 - Protecting Pensions
September 1 - The Boilermakers
August 31 - The Battle of Blair Mountain
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