Some 1,700 United Mine Workers members in Virginia and West Virginia go out on strike to beat back concessions demanded by Pittston Coal Co. The strike lasted nearly 11 months, and the key turning point was the Sept. 17th, 1989 takeover of Pittston’s Moss 3 Preparation Plant by UMWA members). - 1989

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers granted a charter by the AFL-CIO - 1989

Machinists strike Eastern Airlines, are soon joined by flight attendants and pilots in the nationwide walkout. Owner Frank Lorenzo refuses to consider the unions’ demands; Eastern ultimately went out of business - 1989