Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
DUBUQUE TRADES AND LABOR CONGRESS
Being written
DUBUQUE TRADES AND LABOR CONGRESS. In one of its last efforts, the KNIGHTS OF LABOR led the efforts in forming the Dubuque Trades and Labor Congress, a citywide labor organization in July 1888. (1)
In 1899 the Congress proposed municipal ownership of the water works. (2) After hearing a presentation on the Somers tax system which was gaining in popularity around the nation, the members announced that they would probably support it if it were introduced here. (3) In 1922 the Congress suggested to the board of supervisors that bloodhounds be purchased to run down escapees county and city criminals. (4) Cooper's Union No. 29, a member of the national organization and the Congress went out on strike that year for a fifteen cent per day raise in their wages. (5)
An editorial in the Dubuque Herald in 1904 concerned the control of the Congress by socialists. This, according to the editorial, had led many of the older trade unions to withdraw from the organization. Socialists, it was stated, were more interested in strikes "if it takes all summer" than participating where "give and take must be the policy."
Until his counsel had been rejected and settlement of the dispute (streetcar strike)
made possible by any other terms than the complete surrender by the company on every
point raised. (6)
Meetings in the early years were held at Eighhorn's Hall at 13th and Clay streets. (7) In 1915 meetings were held in the Labor Temple at 9th and Locust. (8) It was announced by officials of the Dubuque Trades and Labor Congress in 1934 that the second and third floors of the Facade Building would be renovated as a Labor Temple. (9)
See: LABOR MOVEMENT
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Source:
1. "A Strike of Type Stickers," Dubuque Daily Herald, May 10, 1891, p. 8. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=_OG5zn83XeQC&dat=18910510&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
2. "City Council," Dubuque Herald, September 28 1899, p. 2
3. "Explains Somers System," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, October 7, 1913, p. 2
4. "Courthouse News," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, March 16, 1922, p. 5
5. "Dubuque Coopers Strike," Dubuque Herald, May 7 1899, p. 5
6. "Repudiating the Socialists," Dubuque Herald, July 18, 1904, p. 4
7. "The Trades and Labor Congress," Dubuque Herald, June 12, 1900, p. 8
8. "Labor Congress Names Candidates," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, January 5, 1915, p 11
9. "Labor Temple Planned Here," Telegraph Herald, November 9, 1934, p. 13