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.

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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 the Philadelphia Liberation Center on June 21, 2025. 

https://store.phillyliberationcenter.org/

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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 your story at www.laborjawn.com/voices

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 your story at www.laborjawn.com/voices

Support the show

www.laborjawn.com

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 mixtape of strike songs!

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www.laborjawn.com

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.

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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 your story at www.laborjawn.com/voices

Support the show

www.laborjawn.com

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.

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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