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THIS WEEK'S LABOR HERITAGE POWER HOUR RADIO SHOW
The People's Historian: Dave Zirin on Howard Zinn
Dave Zirin joins the Labor Heritage Power Hour to discuss The People's Historian, his new biography of Howard Zinn, and Zinn's surprising ties to Hollywood, theater, and radical history. Plus, a conversation about art, hope, and why culture still matters in hard times.
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LABOR ARTS NEWS BRIEFS
Disney Contract Proposal Drops Paid Parental Leave For Costumed Character Performers: Disneyland has long provided employees behind its parades and costumed characters with paid leave after they become new parents. Now those workers say Disney has threatened to take that benefit away. Read more.
ABC News Digital Workers Unionize With WGA East in Unanimous Vote: The union said ABC and WGAE “have engaged in productive and constructive discussions, reflecting a shared commitment to maintaining a collaborative and supportive workplace.” Read more.
Eric Carle Museum Workers File For A Union Election: The bargaining unit spans Guest Services, Education, Collections, Marketing, Development and the Shop. Read more
WHAT WE’RE READING: ‘Like if John Sayles Directed Forrest Gump’: The Incredible Life Of Historian Howard Zinn
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LABOR VIDEO OF THE WEEK: The Rebel Girl
Written by Joe Hill in 1915 and published in the Industrial Workers of the World's Little Red Songbook, this classic labor anthem was reportedly composed for legendary organizer and speaker Elizabeth Gurley Flynn (born today in 1890) —a claim Flynn herself confirmed in her memoir. This version is by Janne Lærkedahl.
Got labor video? email us at info@laborheritage.org
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PICKET SIGNS OF THE WEEK: Ducks & Wizards on strike!
A rubber duck holding a “UAW on strike” sign decorates the dashboard of a Jeep bringing Local 2093 workers to the American Axle picket line back in June. After a two-week strike, nearly a thousand workers in Three Rivers, Mich., returned to work after securing a four-year bargaining agreement that raises wages by 36%. Photo by Nathan Wolff.
Got a picket sign? Email us: info@laborheritage.org
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LABOR SONG OF THE WEEK: This Land is Your Land (Woody Guthrie's American Song)
From the Palm Beach Dramaworks 2018 production; Join us August 13 and/or 15 for Labor Nights at the Theatre Alliance production in Washington DC; "a panoramic tribute to the legacy of activism in the arts, celebrating the spirit of what America looks and sounds like." Support the arts by securing your ticket now! Make sure you plan to stick around after the show ends - both showings will be followed by a Community Talk Back.
Got a Labor song? Email us: info@laborheritage.org
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LABOR ART OF THE WEEK: Matewan Community Center
The exterior of the Matewan Community Center has gotten a dramatic new look, with colorful portraits of key figures from the Mine Wars now welcoming visitors on Mate Street. The images are drawn from artist Sassa Wilke's community mural project, SOLIDARITY. The center has also unveiled beautiful new signage. Check out upcoming events at the Community Center here.
Got Labor art? Email us: info@laborheritage.org
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LABOR QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Elizabeth Gurley Flynn
“What is a labour victory? I maintain that it is a twofold thing. Workers must gain economic advantage, but they must also gain revolutionary spirit, in order to achieve a complete victory. For workers to gain a few cents more a day, a few minutes less a day, and go back to work with the same psychology, the same attitude toward society is to achieve a temporary gain and not a lasting victory.”
Elizabeth Gurley Flynn was born on this date in 1890 in Concord, New Hampshire.
Got a favorite Labor quote? Email us: info@laborheritage.org
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LABOR LANDMARK OF THE WEEK: The Players Club
New York, NY
This mansion was once owned by actor Edwin Booth who left his home to the Players Club. It was used as a group meeting place for theatrical people and, in 1913, its library was used to form the Actors’ Equity Association.
Details on the LHF Labor Landmarks Map.
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No Pasarán Then, No Pasarán Now
On this week’s Labor History Today: A hand-held fan donated to the Museum of Vancouver tells the story of Canadian workers who volunteered to fight fascism in the Spanish Civil War. Its wooden struts bear the signatures of loggers, miners, and trade unionists from British Columbia who traveled thousands of miles to defend Spain's democratically elected government. From the On the Line: Stories of BC Workers podcast, historian David York explores the lives behind those names and the labor movement's long tradition of international solidarity. At a time when authoritarian movements are once again on the rise, their story is a powerful reminder that the fight for democracy and workers' rights knows no borders.
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TODAY'S LABOR HISTORY
1890: Wobbly organizer Elizabeth Gurley Flynn is born in Concord, New Hampshire.
1919: Actor's Equity Association declares a strike against the Producing Managers' Association. During the strike, the actors walked out of theaters, held parades in the streets, and performed benefit shows.
1983: Some 675,000 employees strike ATT Corp. over wages, job security, pension plan changes and better health insurance. It was the last time CWA negotiated at one table for all its Bell System members: divestiture came a few months later.
1988: Television writers, members of both the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) and the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW), end a 22 week strike.
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| In 1902, what barrier did Charles James break? | | | | LAST WEEK’S QUIZ: Sid Hatfield, police chief of Matewan, W. Va., a longtime supporter of the United Mine Workers union, was murdered by company goons on August 1, 1921. This soon led to the Battle of Blair Mountain, a labor uprising also referred to as the Red Neck War. | | |
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