News & Updates

EDITOR’S NOTE Even though – as reported in last week’s newsletter – the 2024 DC Labor Filmfest has now wrapped up, you can still get your DC LaborFest t-shirt and/or cap; they’re stylish and a great way to show your support for one of the longest-running labor film festivals in the country! Click here for details.

Want to know what’s happening today in labor arts? Click here and the LHF website now automatically features today’s labor arts event(s) at the top of the page. Missing something on our website or have a suggestion for how we can improve the site? email us at info@laborheritage.org, which is how you can let us know about labor art, culture and history in your community.

Chris Garlock

UFCW Members Ratify First Union Contract at Minnesota Half Price Books Stores

Workers from four Twin Cities Half Price Books locations voted to ratify their first union contracts last Friday, ensuring that their jobs are protected, safe and sustainable. “Through the hard work of the entire bargaining committee, we have shown all of our coworkers the priceless value of having a union contract. This is going to help everyone at Half Price Books, and it will continue for decades to come,” said Aaron Kerr, who works at the Roseville location.

- AFL-CIO Daily Brief

Solidarity Day, Washington, D.C., 1991

From the Wayne State University Digital Collections, with over 50,000 images and texts celebrating Detroit's contributions to the arts, fashion, history, architecture, interior design, medicine and more.

GOT PICKET SIGN? Email us at info@laborheritage.org 

The Man – Taylor Swift

“Not only are workers in a corporate office setting having to fawn over their boss, but the representation of childcare labor is striking,” writes Lynn Arner. “The video points out that a man who is seen caregiving his child (in this case, regardless how well he is taking care of the child) is praised excessively as being a wonderful father, a commonplace critique by feminist scholars, since women's childcare labor gets little praise and is simply expected. The final scene is clearly about an actor’s labor and having to redo a scene because a seemingly capricious director commands him to do so. Commuting from work and the phenomenon of women having to endure manspreading on the subway—a commonplace critique, especially about five years ago —is also represented. The lyrics are also often explicitly about labor: ‘I'm so sick of running as fast as I can / I wonder if I'd get there quicker if I were a man. They'd say I had hustled and put in the work’”

GOT LABOR VIDEO? Email us at info@laborheritage.org 

1934 & Now: Connections of the Minneapolis Truckers’ Strike of 1934 is an art exhibit organized by Keith Christensen in conjunction with members of the Remember 1934 Collective, presenting work that connects a local labor history and current issues; it coincides with the 90th anniversary of the Minneapolis Truckers’ Strike of 1934.

GOT LABOR ART? Email us at info@laborheritage.org 

From the Jeopardy TV show. Answer: “What are the Teamsters?”

GOT A LABOR QUOTE? Email us at info@laborheritage.org 

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

Joe Uehlein in Concert with Mindy McWilliams

Friday, June 07, 7:30 PM; El Golfo, 8739 Flower Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20901

Joe Uehlein's concerts always include a wide and deep presentation of songs of work, hope, freedom, love, revolution, labor, and environmental justice. Joe presents the best in Americana and roots-rock music, including folk, rock’n roll, bluegrass, country, soul, and more.

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, June 7-8-9, 1-5P; Minneapolis, MN 55407 NOTE: Opening & Reception at 3PM Saturday!

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

June 7, 1913

Sole performance of Pageant of the Paterson (NJ) Strike, created and performed by 1,000 mill workers from the silk industry strike, New York City – 1913

On this week's Labor History Today podcast: Pride on the line, excerpted from “Pride on the Line: The UAW and Queer-Labor Solidarity after Stonewall”. 

LAST WEEK’S QUIZ: The 1898 Erdman Act provided for voluntary mediation or arbitration of railroad disputes, prohibited contracts that discriminate against union labor, and prohibited contracts that release employers from legal liability for on-the-job injuries.

1934 and Now: The Minneapolis Teamsters’ Strikes (5/31)

“Dreams come true,” as Disneyland character workers unionize (5/24)

1934 Minneapolis Truckers’ Strike Commemorated (5/17) 

“Finding the Money” sleeper hit at DC Labor FilmFest (5/10)

“Art uplifts us”: Redmond and Bryant honored (5/3)

MSNBC features DC Labor Chorus at SCOTUS (4/26)

Al Bradbury: Art is "how we sustain ourselves" (4/23)