A glorious Labor Day weekend unfolds before us, and then a new school year begins.
Labor Day does not just mark the symbolic end of summer, but also the victories won by the U.S. labor movement over the years.
Hastings has its own record of labor activity and strife when thousands of men and women worked in the factories that used to once line the waterfront. The period during World War One was perhaps one of the most historic and violent times for the American Labor movement. Hastings-on-Hudson was the scene of some notable struggles.
In 1912, a large strike at the National Conduit and Cable Company at the base of Washington Avenue devolved into a pitched battle when police tried to seize one of the strike leaders. Twenty-five guards, armed and deputized by the factory owner, began firing wildly. Two strikers were killed, and a stray bullet killed a young Polish mother playing with her child a distance away. The New York National Guard was called in to restore peace. Because the waterfront factories enjoyed a reputation for militant union activity throughout the following years, the factory owners were forced to employ large security forces of over a hundred men to keep order.
In 1916, as part of a strike seeking a five-cent hourly increase, a group of 200 women strikers attacked scabs entering Building 52 (which still stands), and then encouraged over 1,500 men to stone the building and attack police. Every window facing the train tracks was broken. This time, the police restrained themselves, but rioting wracked the village for another two days, and the National Guard was called in yet again. A bayonet charge finally cleared the streets, leaving several wounded. The strike activity received national attention.
Those violent days are far behind us. On Labor Day, we honor the workers of America, who fought so hard to secure a safe and fair portion of the American dream. We are thankful to our teachers, police, DPW, and tradesmen, who add so much to all of our lives. And they in turn enjoy the benefits that unions have brought them: representation and a middle-class lifestyle that forms the backbone of our community. We rarely consider this on Labor Day – but it’s real and part of our village fabric.
A few reminders heading into the school season:
* Remember that traffic patterns change and that there are many walkers on the street. The posted Village speed limit is a maximum (not a minimum!), and keep your eyes out for darting children.
* Please, PLEASE, if your property includes a sidewalk, walk it this weekend and chop back the shrubbery or branches which may push pedestrians into the street or impede line of sight. It’s not just the right thing to do, it’s your responsibility. Please take a look this weekend.
* The pool is open through next weekend – enjoy it while you can, one of the nicest amenities provided by our erstwhile Village government.
Peter Swiderski is mayor of the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson.
