The Dig Blue Collar Empire w/ Jeff Schuhrke
27 snips
Apr 2, 2025 Jeff Schuhrke, a labor studies professor and author, teams up with Micah Utrecht, editor at Jacobin, to dive deep into the hidden histories of American labor's role in the Cold War. They discuss how unions often undermined left-wing movements both domestically and abroad, revealing the moral quandaries labor leaders faced. Schuhrke highlights the AFL-CIO’s collaboration with the CIA, and the detrimental impacts of anti-communist strategies on workers' rights. Their conversation underscores the need for a revived, progressive labor movement capable of addressing global inequalities.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Labor Movement Decline
- The American labor movement's decline is partially attributed to the victory of right-wing, anti-communist forces.
- These forces prioritized anti-communism over dynamic social movement building.
Domestic Repression
- Domestic repression of radicals within the US labor movement was a necessary precursor to exporting anti-communism globally.
- Purging communists domestically paved the way for international operations.
Taft-Hartley Act
- The Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 required union officers to sign affidavits denouncing Communist Party membership.
- This act aimed to weaken unions by connecting them to the Red Scare and purging communists.