PAGE 14 | August 21, 2020 | NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS
The Bonneville Dam,
which stretches across
the Columbia River be-
tween Oregon and
Washington, was union
built during the Great
Depression. The project
provided thousands of
jobs from 1934 to 1938.
A second powerhouse
was added to the dam
in 1983.
by 1,200 timber workers keeps local mills tied
down for three months. D.E. Nickerson
elected president of the OFL. Congress funds
construction of Bonneville Dam, one of the
great engineering marvels of the early 20th
century; 4,000 construction jobs created.
1936: The Anti-Strikebreaker Act declares it
unlawful “to transport or aid in transporting
strikebreakers in interstate or foreign com-
merce.” CIO expelled from the AFL over in-
dustrial worker organizing. Portland labor en-
dorses “super airport” bond sale. Auto Me-
chanics strike for eight weeks. 1937: Broth-
erhood of Sleeping Car Porters wins contract
with Pullman Co., marking the first agree-
ment between black workers and a white em-
ployer. Bonneville Dam completed. General
Motors recognizes the United Auto Workers.
Steelworkers win first contract from U.S.
Steel. Social Security covers 170,000 Orego-
nians. Grocery Clerks sign pact with 1,100
stores under first negotiations with newly-
formed Food Employers Inc. AFL adding
members at the rate of 75,000 per month.
1938: Oregon Legislature adopts measure
restricting pickets; AFL-CIO unsuccessfully
challenges it in court. Congress passes Fair
Labor Standards Act establishing minimum
wage and 40-hour week. The Congress of In-
dustrial Organizations (CIO) forms as an in-
For all the hard work you do, wishing
you have a relaxing Labor Day
weekend. You deserve it!
FROM OFFICERS , DELEGATES , AFFILIATES AND STAFF OF
Columbia Pacific Building
& Construction Trades Council
Willy Myers - Executive Secretary-treasurer
Bob Carroll- president
3535 SE 86th Portland, Ore. 503 774-0546
Sam Gompers was an
early-day union editor
As the labor movement, spurred
on by the organization of the
American Federation of Labor in
1886, grew to new heights, the la-
bor press grew, too. One of the
most interesting labor papers of
the period was the Union Advo-
cate, official publication of the
AFL. It was published for only
one year starting in 1887. Its edi-
tor was AFL President Sam Gom-
pers — and Gompers wrote most
of the copy as well as the editori-
als. It was succeeded by the
American Federationist, also ed-
ited by Gompers.
Organized in Oregon and
SW Washington Since 1904!
PLEASE ENJOY THOSE UNION - MADE HAMBURGER
AND HOT DOG BUNS AT YOUR LABOR DAY PICNIC .
New Temporary Hours: Mon-Sat 12-6 pm
Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco
Workers and Grain Millers Local 114