Labor Jawn

As the fine leather industry in Wilmington, Delaware expanded, their workers started organizing with a radical new organization.  Originally aired: March 1, 2024. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

In 1903, Philadelphia was one of the textile manufacturing centers of the United States, but conditions in the mills were abysmal, with men, women, and children all facing long hours, low wages, and dangerous machinery. With the help of Mother Jones and other labor leaders they marched out in a general strike.  Originally aired: May 30, 2023. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

By 1941, the Steel Workers Organizing Committee had led successful union drives across most of the US Steel industry. But can they break into Bethlehem Steel when $1 billion in defense contracts are hanging in the balance?  Originally aired: December 26, 2022. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

Kensington was once described as having "more textile mills within the range of vision than in any other city in the world," and likewise, was a hotbed of labor agitation for decades. In this presentation for the Philadelphia Liberation Center, we briefly covered the region's rich labor history, from the turn of the century to deindustrialization in the 1950s and 60s.  Recorded live...

At Philadelphia's 2025 May Day Rally and March, Gabe and Sam ran around with a microphone to get recordings from union members, organizers, and workers. Each person was asked 4 questions: -Who was the worst boss you've ever had and why?  -Are you part of a union?  -What does being a union member mean to you? -What was your favorite moment of solidarity that you've witnessed? Submit...

At Philadelphia's 2025 May Day Rally and March, Gabe and Sam ran around with a microphone to get recordings from union members, organizers, and workers. Each person was asked 4 questions: -Who was the worst boss you've ever had and why?  -Are you part of a union?  -What does being a union member mean to you? -What was your favorite moment of solidarity that you've witnessed? Submit...

In this special interview episode, Sam and Gabe sit down with Josh MacPhee and Kennedy Block to talk about their new book "Strike While the Needle Is Hot: A Discography of Worker’s Revolt," which documents 80 records that striking workers and their supporters have put out. Pick up a copy from Common Notions to get 15% off with the code STRIKE15. The first 100 sales will also get a free m...

In a period when Philadelphia's tourism industry was starting to soar, hotel workers' wages were stagnant. They launched a strategically timed strike to fight for a raise, while a rank and file caucus pressured union leadership into action. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

In 1977, SEPTA workers walked out into a bitter 44 day struggle, leading to a rank and file fight against both the bosses and their own union leadership.  Originally aired: August 24, 2022. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

At Philadelphia's 2025 May Day Rally and March, Gabe and Sam ran around with a microphone to get recordings from union members, organizers, and workers. Each person was asked 4 questions: -Who was the worst boss you've ever had and why?  -Are you part of a union?  -What does being a union member mean to you? -What was your favorite moment of solidarity that you've witnessed? Submit...

During WW2, to prevent the runaway inflation experienced in the 1st World War, the US Government established the Office of Price Administration to enforce price ceilings and regulate business. But after the war conservative forces started to push for their wholesale removal, the labor movement stepped up to try and prevent another great depression. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

In March 2021, workers at the Mariposa Food Co-Op in West Philly formed a union with UFCW Local 1776. Today, they're working to build more power in order to make Mariposa into an even better place to work.  Originally aired: February 13, 2023. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

Before the United Auto Workers formed in 1935, there had been multiple attempts to organize the industry. In 1933, Ford Workers in Chester, Pennsylvania went out for union recognition, triggering multiple other strikes and actions.  Originally aired: November 29, 2023. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

While private sector employees in Philadelphia had been seeing huge union wins throughout the 1930s, municipal workers were largely left out. This would all change in 1938 when garbage collectors brought the city to a standstill in a weeks long strike.  Originally aired: September 5, 2022. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

In early 1917, workers at sugar refineries in South Philly went on strike for better hours, conditions, and pay. But after weeks of stalemate, poverty, and staggering inflation, the strike turned into a violent clash between workers’ families and police.  Episodes 28-29 originally aired: June 26, 2022. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

In Hazleton, Pennsylvania, radical silk workers fought an uphill battle against the bosses, scabs, and even the American Federation of Labor.  Originally aired: January 29, 2024. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

In the midst of the Great Depression, a group of workers at the Hershey Chocolate Company went on a sit down strike for better conditions, wages, and most importantly, union recognition. The ensuing battle pitted worker against worker as a massive riot broke out in what was once considered an oasis of prosperity and peace.  Originally aired: April 11, 2022. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

In 2020, workers at the Philadelphia Museum of Art voted to unionize, but it took 2 years and a 19 day strike for them to get a first contract. Gabe and Sam sit down with Tim Tiebout, Adam Mazieka, and Juliet Vinegra to discuss the history and future of the union.  Originally aired: April 3, 2023. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

Workers from the largest non-union hosiery mill in 1930s Philadelphia go on strike.  Originally aired: January 11, 2022. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

In this special interview episode, Sam and Gabe chat with Eli and Alex, organizers with Workers United, who have been building a militant union of cafe, bakery, and coffee roaster workers in Philly.  Originally aired: September 18, 2023. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

Originally founded as a secret society of tailors, the Noble and Holy Order of the Knights of Labor eventually grew to become a national labor force of 700,000 workers.  Episodes 18-19 originally aired: March 21, 2022. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

In this special interview episode, Sam and Gabe sit down to discuss the history of zionism, antizionism, and the American labor movement, with writer and activist Alison Glick and lawyer, organizer, and activist Suzanne Adely from Labor for Palestine.  Originally aired: November 7, 2023. Donate to Medical Aid for Palestinians: https://www.map.org.uk/ Support the show www.laborjawn.com

After winning their first fight in 1900, Pennsylvania anthracite miners went on strike for the 8 hour day, higher wages, and union recognition. This would lead to one of the first federal mediation committees in US history. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

By the end of the American War for Independence, soldiers of the Pennsylvania Line had gone for months with little to no pay. Their only recourse left: mutiny against congress.  Originally aired: October 4, 2022. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

Wartime Philly: thousands of white transit workers walk off the job to protest the promotion of eight black employees.  Originally aired: January 17, 2022. Support the show www.laborjawn.com