Labor Jawn

When prohibition became law in January 1919, it left many questions unanswered. During this uncertainty, bartenders in Philadelphia went out on strike in a political protest.  Originally aired: September 19, 2022. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

In this special interview, Sam and Gabe sit down with Katherine Coker, a former restaurant worker who has been educating and agitating around Philly, teaching people about wage theft and the conditions in the restaurant industry.  Originally aired: June 28, 2023.  https://linktr.ee/katherinecoker Support the show www.laborjawn.com

The 1970s were a turbulent time in American and Philadelphia history. Amidst stagnant wages, inflation, and a new law allowing public sector strikes, Philly school teachers took matters into their own hands fighting the district, mayor, and state.  Episodes 44-45 originally aired: March 7 and 20, 2023. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

In 1937, battery workers in Philly fought for higher wages using a brand new strike tactic, triggering a rift among the labor movement in the city.  Originally aired: August 7, 2023. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

In this special interview episode, Gabe and Sam talk with Wade Rathke, founder and chief organizer for ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now).  Originally aired: April 27, 2023.  chieforganizer.org Support the show www.laborjawn.com

After a deadly building collapse in a predominantly black South Philly neighborhood, a coalition of housing advocates, labor leaders, and radicals pressured the city to create the Philadelphia Housing Authority.  Originally aired: May 6, 2022. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

In the 1700s, every ship coming into Philadelphia needed a pilot to guide it. But as the wealthy merchant class started to solidify power, they started to clash with the fiercely independent sailors who guided their ships.  Originally aired: February 20, 2023.  www.andrewjlyter.com Support the show www.laborjawn.com

In this special interview episode, Sam and Gabe sit down with Dr. Blair LM Kelley, director of the Center for the Study of the American South at the University of North Carolina, about her new book Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class.  Originally aired: July 10, 2023. https://www.profblmkelley.com/ Support the show www.laborjawn.com

Fast food workers across the US strike for better pay and the raising of the minimum wage. We also take time to rant about past jobs and the utter insanity of good ol' American capitalism.  Originally aired: February 7, 2022. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

Gabe and Sam celebrate 50 episodes with this special tell-all journey into the past, present, and future of Labor Jawn.  Originally aired: June 12, 2023. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

In this special redux version of our Something Radical Happened Here presentation, Gabe Christy discusses Philadelphia's radical Jewish labor history.  Recorded on March 9, 2025 at the Spruce Hill Community Association in Philadelphia, PA. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

In 1959, 500,000 Steel Workers across the country went on strike against the three major steel producers in the country. This months long battle involved everything from Cold War tensions to planned communities without mass transit.  Originally aired: August 22, 2023. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

800 nurses in Bucks County, PA strike during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Originally aired: February 28, 2022. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

In a special live recording at La Salle University, Gabe explores the philosophical underpinnings of four of Philadelphia's early radical movements.  Special thanks to Professor Joel Garver and his American Philosophy Class for their hospitality. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

In 1790s Philadelphia, things began to change rapidly. One man, John Nicholson, sought to take advantage of these changes and build a modern industrialized factory on the banks of the Schuylkill River. But he kept running into one persistent issue: his workers expected to be paid.  Originally aired: May 16, 2022. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

In a special live recording at The Children's Folkshul and Adult Community, Gabe discusses Philadelphia's radical Jewish labor history and Sam performs his rendition of "Arbeter Froyen," a Yiddish poem sung in English.  Originally aired: December 11, 2023. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

In 1779, as inflation drove prices of bread and meat sky high, the citizens of Philadelphia took matters into their own hands and rebelled against the wealthy merchant class.  Originally aired: September 6, 2023. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

As the postwar inflation threatened the wages of trolley operators, they struck, triggering not just a fight over wages, but a fight over mass transit all together. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

Pennsylvania Militia open fire on civilians and striking railroad workers.  Originally aired: January 27, 2022. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

Reading, Pennsylvania's first and only socialist mayor.  Originally aired: February 14, 2022. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

The 1805 Cordwainers Strike in Philadelphia was one of the earliest labor actions in American history.  Originally aired: December 13, 2021. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

A brief history of the cooperative movement in 19th century Philadelphia.  Originally aired: February 22, 2022. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

The first general strike in US history.  Originally aired: January 3, 2022. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

In this special interview episode, Sam and Gabe are joined by Will Caverly, author of Tinicum & Eastwick: Environmental Justice and Racial Injustice in Southwest Philadelphia. When plans to overhaul Southwest Philadelphia in the 1950s scheduled both the integrated neighborhood of Eastwick and the ecologically valuable Tinicum marshes to be razed, two grassroots movements took up the cause—batt...

After years of fighting, political pressure, and organizing, municipal employees take on the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Originally aired: November 13, 2023. Support the show www.laborjawn.com