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.”
May 18 - The TVA Transforms the South
May 17 - Striking for Dignity and Respect
May 16 - Minneapolis Teamsters Lead the Way
May 15 - The Winnipeg General Strike Begins
May 14 - Wobblies On the Waterfront
May 13 - Women Strike Tolteca Foods
May 12 - Of ICE Raids & Union Busting
May 11 - Organizing in the Fields
May 10 - Bankruptcy Bonanza for Big Bankers
May 9 - The Historic ‘34 West Coast Maritime Strike Begins
May 8 - Mary Marcy is Born
May 7 - Popeye The Union Man
May 6 - FDR Rolls Out the WPA
May 5 - The Bay View Massacre
May 4 - UE Beats Back HUAC in Dayton
May 3 - First Workers Compensation Law is Passed
May 2 - Our Thing is DRUM!
May 1 - Mayday Marchers Attacked in Cleveland
April 30 - Refinery Workers Walk Off the Job
April 29 - Allis-Chalmers and the Road to Taft-Hartley
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