Today in labor history Oct 5 bloody riot at the gates of Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, Calif.

[Omaha Steve]

October 05

October 5, 1902 - Ray Kroc, the founder of the McDonald’s fast food chain, was born. He died in 1984, but his multi-billion-dollar empire continues, selling trillions of “Happy Meals” every year and employing thousands of burger flippers.


A strike by set decorators turns into a bloody riot at the gates of Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, Calif. when scabs try to cross the picket line. The incident is still identified as “Hollywood Black Friday” - 1945

October 5, 1976 - The United Auto Workers and Ford Motor Co. agreed to a contract, ending a three-week strike. Provisions included a boost in the number of vacation days and improved retirement and unemployment benefits.

Polish Solidarity union founder Lech Walesa wins the Nobel Peace Prize - 1983