The Federal minimum wage rises to $2.65 an hour - 1978

Eight female bank tellers in Willmar, Minn. begin the first strike against a bank in U.S. history. At issue: they were paid little more than half what male tellers were paid. The strike ended in moral victory but economic defeat two years later - 1977

United Mine Workers begin what is to become a 110-day national coal strike - 1977