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WEEKEND LABOR ARTS CALENDAR


Fri/Sat: WoodyFest (OK)

Sun: CONCERT/PLATFORM FOR THE EAST BRUNSWICK UNITARIAN SOCIETY - NJS IUC Solidarity Singers (NJ)


Got a Labor event? Email us: info@laborheritage.org

THIS WEEK'S LABOR HERITAGE POWER HOUR RADIO SHOW
Live from the 2026 Great Labor Arts Exchange Concert!

On this week's Labor Heritage Power Hour: Join us for highlights from the 2026 Great Labor Arts Exchange Concert, recorded live at the Labor Notes Conference in Chicago. Hosted by Sig Meilus and MacGyver Williams, the concert features performances by The Labor Notes, George Mann, Joe Jencks, the Pittsburgh Labor Choir, the DC Labor Chorus, and other outstanding labor artists, culminating—as every great labor concert should—with everyone joining together for "Solidarity Forever."

LABOR ARTS NEWS BRIEFS


Hachette Book Group employees win election for largest union in trade publisher history: In an update to a story we’ve previously reported on, more than 600 workers at Hachette Book Group have voted in a decisive victory to unionize with the Washington-Baltimore News Guild. The newly certified Hachette Workers Coalition will now begin negotiating its first collective bargaining agreement with the company. Read more

University of Chicago Press workers vote union: The University of Chicago Press Workers Guild (UCPWG) has won their union election, with a majority of their 134 members voting to become a unit of the Chicago News Guild, TNG-CWA Local 34071. Read more

CWA Says Xbox Treated Workers As Disposable: “...make no mistake,” said CWA President Claude Cummings Jr., “whether our members have a contract in hand, or are still at the bargaining table, CWA members at Xbox have the power and protection of union membership.” Read more

Library Workers Organize (1): A strong majority of staff at Columbus Metropolitan Library voted to form their union, CML United, according to election results released by Ohio’s State Employment Relations Board. The new union includes approximately 600 librarians, customer services specialists, youth engagement specialists, materials services associates, drivers, sorters, and other library workers. Read more

Library Workers Organize (2): Employees at the Geneva Public Library District in Illinois are coming together to form a union with AFSCME Council 31 to strengthen their voice on the job and improve the services they provide to their community. The workers filed a majority interest petition with the Illinois Labor Relations Board on May 28. Read more

San Francisco Public Press Workers Unionize: “A union gives us the stability to do our job better,” said Zhe Wu, a community beat reporter for the San Francisco Public Press. “Knowing we have each other’s backs, especially as we see increasing threats on immigration, allows me to focus on what matters.”  Read more.

Apply For A Hellraiser Grant: Applications are open for the Anne Feeney Hellraiser Memorial Fund, this year offering five grants for emerging artists of any discipline who create art in support of social movements for justice. Read more.


What We’re Reading

Minneapolis Punks Voted to Unionize A Merch Warehouse. Sony Music Plans To Shut It Down


Workers claim unsafe conditions at a restaurant owned by the South Park creators. They have Brooke Shields on their side

LABOR VIDEO OF THE WEEK: Let America Be All That it Can Be

“In response to this 250th year moment I am releasing this short video from the opening song from The Moment Was Now, my musical about reconstruction,” writes Gene Bruskin. “I think it captures a truer picture of our history than most of the current propaganda.” The full film is available for showing; details here.

Got labor video? email us at info@laborheritage.org

PICKET SIGN OF THE WEEK

Nurses at Brigham & Women’s hospital begin their strike in Boston on Wednesday. Photo for the Boston Herald by Mark Stockwell.

Got a picket sign? Email us: info@laborheritage.org 

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LABOR SONG OF THE WEEK: Which Side Are You On

From LHF’s playlist of Labor songs for picket lines, rallies and union activities.

Got a Labor song? Email us: info@laborheritage.org

LABOR ART OF THE WEEK: Life is better in a union! 

Got Labor art? Email us: info@laborheritage.org

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LABOR LANDMARK OF THE WEEK
The Michaels-Stern Building

Rochester, NY: The seven-story Michaels-Stern clothing factory, built in 1893, was one of the nation's most modern garment plants. But despite its technological innovations, the company fiercely resisted unionization. In 1919, Michaels-Stern refused to join other Rochester manufacturers in recognizing the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, prompting a major strike by its 3,000 workers. The company sought to undermine the union, obtained an injunction against picketing, and even sued ACWA president Sidney Hillman for $200,000. 
Details on the LHF Labor Landmarks Map.

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The People Make History: On this week's Labor History Today: As the nation reflects on Independence Day, we turn from the "Great Men" of history to the voices of the people. We begin with Frederick Douglass's searing 1852 speech, What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?, performed by James Earl Jones, then hear from the Labor and Working-Class History Association's People's 250 project, where workers, historians, and activists share stories that place working people at the center of the American story. Plus, on Labor History in 2:00: July 4 Freedom to Join a Union

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CLICK HERE for our complete labor arts calendar; look for our Labor Arts Calendar edition on Monday

TODAY'S LABOR HISTORY

1894:
14,000 federal and state troops put down the strike against the Pullman Palace Car Co., which had been peaceful until July 5 when federal troops intervened in Chicago.

1902: A powerful explosion rips through the Rolling Mill coal mine in Johnstown, Pa., killing 112 miners, 83 of whom were immigrants from Poland and Slovakia

1916: The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce holds a mass meeting to organize what was to become a frontal assault on union strength and the closed shop.


Which labor leader founded the Amalgamated Clothing Workers and helped launch the CIO?

Find more labor history in the LHF Labor Arts & Culture Database.

LAST WEEK'S QUIZ: On July 4, 1916, the AFL dedicated its new headquarters at 9th Street and Massachusetts Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. The building later became headquarters for the Plumbers and Pipefitters, and its historic exterior is now incorporated into the Marriott Washington.

SUPPORT LABOR ARTS!

Please CLICK HERE NOW to pledge your financial support to our 2026 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. 

RECENT NEWSLETTERS

Labor Songs for Picket Lines, Rallies and Union Activities (6/26)

What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? (7/3)

Building Power Through Culture (6/19)

LIVE from GLAE ‘26! (6/13)

Remembering Kent Wong (6/5)

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