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EDITOR’S NOTE: The 2024 DC Labor FilmFest wrapped last night with our screening of Working Class Goes to Hell. Turnout was up this year, thanks to a strong line-up of films at the AFI Silver Theatre and active participation by co-sponsors, including Power At Work and DSA-DC, shown here with the happy winner of a classic red stapler at our May 22 25th anniversary screening of Office Space. We’ll be back in 2025; meanwhile stay tuned for upcoming screenings at our monthly Bread and Roses series.
Chris Garlock
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Academy Foundation Workers Ratify First Union Contract
More than a year and a half after winning voluntary recognition, workers at the Academy Foundation—the nonprofit arm of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that is dedicated to protecting film history—have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement. The Academy Foundation Workers Union (AFWU) is an affiliate of AFSCME Local 126, which also represents workers at the Academy Museum.
AFL-CIO Daily Brief
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1934 and Now: The Minneapolis Teamsters’ Strikes
by Peter Rachleff
This year marks the 90th anniversary of the 1934 Minneapolis Teamsters’ strikes. These strikes changed the course of history and the lives of tens of thousands of working people. They transformed Minneapolis from one of the country’s most notorious anti-union citadels into a “union town” and they inspired labor organization from Fargo to Omaha and Duluth to St. Louis. The story of this transformation still resonates with the challenges faced by working women and men in 2024. Commemorative events marking the anniversary of the Minneapolis Truckers’ Strike of 1934 will be held in the Twin Cities from May-July, 2024. These include exhibitions, film screenings, music, and a picnic gathering. Click here for the complete schedule.
In the late 19th century, a vibrant and diverse labor movement surged across the state of Minnesota…click here for Peter’s complete report.
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Favorite labor songs: Chris & Elise play labor songs requested by listeners, including talkin’ bout a revolution (Tracy Chapman), Chain Gang (Sam Cooke), Union Maid (Anne Feeney) and Solidarity Forever (Billy Bragg).
Broadcast on May 30, 2024 on WPFW 89.3FM in Washington, DC. Please support the program by pledging generously to WPFW’s spring pledge drive: call 202-588-9739 or 1-800-222-9739 or pledge online (be sure to scroll down and select “The Labor Heritage Power Hour”).Thanks to everyone who contributed during this week’s show!
The Labor Heritage Power Hour, hosted by Chris Garlock and Elise Bryant, airs every Thursday at 1p on WPFW 89.3FM in Washington, DC.
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IAPE TNG/CWA 1096: @dowjones laid off more employees at @wsj — on top of the 45 IAPE members laid off this year — despite its record profits. We’ve had enough. IAPE members are walking out during their lunch hour to protest these cuts and make it clear to management that we’re worth more.
GOT PICKET SIGN? Email us at info@laborheritage.org
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"The Internationale" conducted by Arturo Toscanini-BANNED by U.S. censors!
In 1944, to honor the Allied victory in Italy, legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini--a refugee from Fascism in his home country--decided to conduct a performance of Verdi's "Hymn of the Nations", which is built around national anthems of Britain, France, and Italy. In order to honor all four of the major Allies, Toscanini decided to add "The Star Spangled Banner" for the U.S. and "The Internationale" for the Soviet Union. The music was performed by the NBC Symphony Orchestra, with the Westminister Choir and tenor Jan Peerce as soloist; conducted by Toscanini. It was filmed as a featurette to be shown in movie theaters, and was narrated by Burgess Meredith. In the early 1950's, at the height of the Red Scare and McCarthyism, U.S. censors cut the portion of this performance that featured the "Internationale". For years the sequence containing The Internationale was considered forever lost. But recently a copy of this missing piece of film was rediscovered in Alaska. So now this rousing rendition of the Internationale--together with chorale and orchestra under the direction of a great conductor--can be enjoyed again.
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What the 1934 Minneapolis Teamsters’ Strikes Can Suggest About Meeting the Challenges Faced Today
July 21, 2021: Includes John DeGraaf's film "Labor's Turning Point," followed by a panel discussion with Peter Rachleff (East Side Freedom Library), David Van Deusen, President of the Vermont AFL-CIO, and Kieran Knutson, President of CWA Local 7250 (AT&T workers, Minnesota).
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CLICK HERE for our complete labor arts calendar; look for our Labor Arts Calendar edition on Monday!
Chopped Liver and Unions
Daily through Friday, June 7, 2024; New York City, NY
One-person show about Sara Wesker, ardent trade unionist & needle-trades organizer in the East End of London in the 1920s & 1930.
Remember 1934: "Voters in Revolt" art exhibit
Fri/Sat/Sun, May 31-June 2, 1-5P; Minneapolis, MN 55407
Brooks Turner and the gallery timed this show to coincide with the 90th Anniversary of the 1934 Truck Drivers Strike in Minneapolis.
We Are One – Honoring Immigrant Garment Workers
Thru August 24, 2024; Wed-Sat, 1-4 pm & by appointment. labormuseum@aol.com, Haledon, NJ
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May 31, 1997
Rose Will Monroe, popularly known
as Rosie the Riveter, dies in Clarksville, Ind. During WWII she helped bring
women into the labor force.
On this week's Labor History Today podcast: The Memorial Day Massacre (Encore)
Joe McCartin, Ben Blake and Julie Greene remember the 1937 Memorial Day Massacre, when police opened fire on striking steelworkers at Republic Steel in South Chicago, killing ten and wounding more than 160.
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| The 1898 Erdman Act does which of these? | | | |
LAST WEEK’S QUIZ: On May 26, 1824, men and women weavers in Pawtucket, R.I. staged nation's first "co-ed" strike. | |
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"The worker must have bread, but she must have roses, too."
Please CLICK HERE NOW to pledge your financial support to our 2024 program, which includes our annual Solidarity Forever Award, the Great Labor Arts Exchange, the DC Labor FilmFest and much more (check out our website for details!).
Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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