John Alexander recounts the circumstances leading up to the gun battle between mine guards for the Chicago-Virden Coal Company and coal miners – members of the United Mine Workers of America -- who were locked out of their jobs.

And, on Labor History in 2:00, the year was 1933; that was the day that forty armed cotton growers shot at a group of striking workers in the small town of Pixley, California.Music for today’s show by Bucky Halker and The Complete Unknowns.Special thanks to James Goltz for the Battle of Virden report; check out his Jase Media Service Podcast for more labor history episodes.

Produced by Chris Garlock. To contribute a labor history item, email [email protected]

Labor History Today is produced by the Metro Washington Council’s Union City Radio and the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University.

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