Kim Kelly, journalist and author of FIGHT LIKE HELL: The Untold History of American Labor joins Adam to look at overlooked labor struggles, the significance of disabled workers, the fight for incarcerated workers' rights, and the power of unions in building community and driving change. Find Kim's book at factuallypod.com/books.
Labor battles of women and people of color have been historically overlooked, highlighting the need for inclusive narratives in American labor history.
Recognizing the importance of solidarity and organizing across different industries and identities is crucial for the labor movement.
The Alabama coal miner strike of 2021 demonstrated the power of empathy and unity among workers in creating a powerful movement for change.
Deep dives
The Underreported Labor Battles in America
The podcast episode explores the underreported labor battles in America, focusing on the lack of coverage given to certain industries and workers. It highlights the example of the 2018 teacher strikes which demanded better pay and benefits for tens of thousands of teachers in several states. The strikes, which impacted children and teachers, did not receive as much attention as Hollywood strikes. The episode emphasizes the importance of recognizing the contributions and struggles of all workers, including women and people of color, throughout labor history.
The Untold History of American Labor
The guest on the podcast, Kim Kelly, discusses the untold history of American labor. She describes how existing labor literature often focuses on white male workers, while overlooking the contributions of women and people of color. Kim explores the stories of various marginalized groups, such as young women leading the first factory strike in America in 1824, and black workers like A. Philip Randolph who founded the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. The episode emphasizes the need to shine a spotlight on these often-marginalized labor stories and acknowledge the collective efforts of all workers throughout history.
The Power of Organizing and Solidarity in Labor
The podcast highlights the power of organizing and solidarity in the labor movement. It discusses the importance of recognizing common struggles across different industries and identities. The episode touches upon the organizing efforts of graduate students, disabled workers, and incarcerated workers, showcasing their successes in demanding better working conditions and rights. The conversation emphasizes that unions provide a platform for workers to come together, fight for their rights, and create meaningful change. It underscores the need for continued solidarity across different sectors to address issues of racial injustice, inequality, and worker exploitation.
The Fight for Disability Rights
Disabled activists staged the longest peaceful occupation of a federal building in U.S. history, demanding implementation of regulations to protect disabled people. They received support from the Black Panthers and labor unions, which played a crucial role in their success. This occupation ultimately led to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), one of the landmark civil rights victories in American history.
The Impact of Labor Solidarity
The Alabama coal miner strike of 2021 lasted nearly two years, making it one of the longest strikes in state history. Despite facing opposition and being largely overlooked by media, the solidarity among diverse workers and the support from their families created a powerful movement. The strike highlighted the need for empathy and understanding among workers, transcending political differences and showcasing the potential for unions to bring about change.
While the ongoing WGA and SAG strikes have garnered significant public attention, those unions represent only a tiny fraction of the unionized workers in the country. Throughout the long history of labor in this country, it's not uncommon for important battles to be overlooked, especially when they are the struggles of women and people of color. Adam is joined by Kim Kelly, journalist and author of FIGHT LIKE HELL: The Untold History of American Labor, to look back at some of those struggles and the ongoing story of workers' rights in America. Find Kim's book at factuallypod.com/books
