On this week’s show we’re featuring songs about labor organizing. Recently the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that labor union membership has risen to 12.4% of the working population. This figure is a slight increase over 12.1% in 2007, but significantly lower than the 20.1% in 1983. There are many reasons for this decrease including decline in popularity during financial crises and the general reaction to the collective bargaining concept. We’re checking out music from Billy Bragg, Emma's Revolution, Phyllis Boyens, Windborne, The Seattle Labor Chorus and many more. It’s time to organize … this week on The Sing Out! Radio Magazine.

Episode #20-36: Labor Day, Pt.2 (Organize!)

Host: Tom Druckenmiller

Artist/”Song”/CD/Label

Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian Folkways

Taj Mahal / “Morning Work-N' Meats on the Stove” / Sounder / Varese Sarabande

Windborne / “Which Side Are You On?” / Recollections-Revolutions / Wand'ring Feet

Billy Bragg / “Joe Hill” / Don't Mourn-Organize! / Smithsonian Folkways

Steve Earle & the Dukes / “Union, Go And Country” / Ghosts of West Virginia / New West

William E Keating / “Down, Down, Down” / Songs and Ballads of the Anthracite Miners / Rounder

Phyllis Boyens / “Blue Diamond Mines” / Coal Mining Women / Rounder

Strange Creek Singers-Hazel Dickens / “Black Lung” / Strange Creek Singers / Arhoolie

Taj Mahal / “Needed Time (banjo and handclapping)” / Sounder / Varese Sarabande

Seattle Labor Chorus / “There Is Power in the Union” / Songs of Working People / Self Produced

Commoners Choir / “Spinning Home” / Untied Kingdom / No Masters

John McCutcheon / “Laz'rus” / Stand Up! / Appalsongs

John O'Connor / “We Ain't Gonna Give It Back” / We Ain't Gonna Give It Back / Self Produced

Emma's Revolution / “Stand Together” / Revolutions Per Minute / Moving Forward

Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian Folkways