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EDITOR’S NOTE: The resistance is spreading and everywhere it does, art is a key part of the struggle, whether it’s a new song supporting federal workers (see Al Bradbury’s “We Got Your Back” below) or a legendary actress using her SAG-AFTRA awards speech to raise up unions (see Jane Fonda in our Labor Quote of The Week). On Wednesday, Elise and I met with AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler to discuss how LHF can expand labor arts support for the labor movement, including more songs and chants for the rapidly-increasing number of rallies and picket lines across the country (see the song/chant contest story below). We’ll be sharing these plans as they develop; if you’ve got ideas or suggestions, we want to hear them! Email us at info@laborheritage.org
Chris
photo by Julie Green
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Contest: Songs and Chants for the Strike Line
by Kira Yeversky and Edwin Everhart
Music has special power to raise our morale in times of fear and grief. In the Pittsburgh Labor Choir we’ve learned that songs have their greatest power when everyone is participating, not just listening. We are pleased to announce the General Strike Song Contest! Submissions are due by April 12. We're looking for songs and chants that a large group of people in the street can learn quickly and easily. Think: plenty of repetition, simple words, and an easy-to-learn melody or a melody that people already know. The winning songs and chants will be featured in a free online concert. LEARN MORE AND ENTER THE CONTEST
PLUS: LHF’s new Protest Songs page has been updated with new songs!
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Pushkin Podcast Workers Deliver Strike Pledge to Management
After more than a year of bargaining, Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) members at podcast production company Pushkin Industries delivered a strike pledge to management demanding the fair contract they deserve.
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Baltimore Labor History Class Offered
An 8-week class on Baltimore Labor History will be offered Wednesdays from 11:00-12:30 at Townson University, starting March 5. “We will have guest speakers, and possible field trips to important historical locations in Baltimore,” reports Bill Barry. To register, click here (scroll down to Baltimore Labor History).
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New Exhibition Shows Different Sides of UE Organizer Turned Painter
A new show of his work in Narrowsburg, NY makes clear that Ralph Fasanella, the UE organizer who took up painting, was interested in every aspect of working class life, not just union struggles. Although he is known for his large-scale paintings of strikes, union meetings, and urban working-class life, this show also includes paintings of people at home and at the beach, vacationing, eating hot dogs at the iconic Nathan’s in Brooklyn, and enjoying America’s favorite pastime. Read more »
UE News; image: Ralph Fasanella, Organizing Committee (Fisher Building), 1989. Images courtesy The Ruffed Grouse Gallery and the Estate of Ralph Fasanella.
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2025 Great Labor Arts Exchange Early-Bird Deadline Tomorrow!
Register for this year’s Great Labor Arts Exchange by tomorrow and save! Early Bird registration for LHF members is $125 before March 1, $150 after that date, $150 for Non-LHF members and $175 after that date. GLAE celebrates labor arts, including music, poetry, visual arts and more, and serves as a vibrant gathering for activists and artists dedicated to promoting workers' culture and heritage. This event will take place from June 20 to 22 in Silver Spring, Maryland, just outside Washington, DC.
Participants can look forward to a variety of workshops, performances, and exhibits that highlight the rich traditions of labor arts. The GLAE provides a platform for sharing creative expressions that inspire and unite the labor movement. REGISTER HERE
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At a Feb. 19 rally in Washington near the Department of Health and Human Services headquarters to protest the polices of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. (John McDonnell/AP) | |
On this week's Labor Heritage Power Hour: Alex C. Park on the global rise of the fast-food industry, and Tom McMahon takes a class-based look at Nosferatu. | | |
Like this newsletter? Share the wealth and pass it along to colleagues, friends and family! | |
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“We Got Your Back” - Al Bradbury
Labor Notes Editor and labor singer-songwriter Al Bradbury sings her new song, "We've got your back." The piece, expressing support for federal workers, immigrant workers, and trans youth, can be a timely addition to the musical repertoire of picket lines and solidarity rallies. WATCH HERE
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“I’m a big believer in unions! They have our backs, they bring us into community, and they give us power!”
Jane Fonda, at the 2025 SAG-AFTRA awards last Sunday
WATCH HERE
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CLICK HERE for our complete labor arts calendar; look for our Labor Arts Calendar edition on Monday | |
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February 28, 1986
In response to the layoff of 450 union members at a 3M factory in New Jersey, every worker at a 3M factory in Elandsfontein, South Africa, walks off the job in sympathy
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On this week’s Labor History Today: As Black History Month comes to a close, the On the Line podcast marks the occasion with a fascinating look back at the history of train sleeping car porters, almost all of whom were Black.
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LAST WEEK’S QUIZ: Representatives of the Knights of Labor and the United Mine Workers met in St. Louis on Feb. 21, 1892 with 20 other organizations to plan the founding convention of the People’s Party. Objectives: end political corruption, spread the wealth, and combat the oppression of the rights of workers and farmers. | |
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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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