Jeremy Brecher, author of "Strike!", dives into the tumultuous labor landscape of the 1960s against the backdrop of the Vietnam War. He discusses how rising prices and stagnant wages fueled a wave of wildcat strikes, with workers prioritizing their needs over war support. Highlighting the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike, he illuminates the intersection of labor and civil rights. Brecher also examines the early labor movement’s initial support for the war and the ensuing grassroots resistance, setting the stage for significant changes in worker activism.
Grassroots movements during the Vietnam War led to a surge in wildcat strikes as workers sought better conditions despite union support for the war.
The intersection of the civil rights movement and labor struggles, exemplified by the Memphis sanitation strike, highlighted the necessity of solidarity among diverse worker groups.
Deep dives
The Rise of Grassroots Worker Movements
In the 1960s, widespread protests against the Vietnam War coincided with significant grassroots movements among workers who sought better wages and working conditions. While the official labor unions like the AFL-CIO largely supported the war, many workers felt disconnected from this narrative and began to organize locally around issues that affected them directly, leading to an increase in wildcat strikes. These strikes, often unapproved by union leadership, illustrated a growing discontent, especially among young workers who saw their workplaces as sites of authority and exploitation. As economic pressures mounted, exemplified by rising inflation, workers became increasingly vocal in their resistance, challenging both management practices and the established labor leadership's stance on the war and labor conditions.
The Impact of the Civil Rights Movement
The evolving civil rights movement played a crucial role in shaping worker protests across the United States during this era. Particularly in Memphis, black sanitation workers organized a historic strike seeking justice and union recognition, which gained national attention and was supported by figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This strike not only highlighted the dire working conditions of black workers but also illuminated the interconnectedness of racial and labor issues, igniting a broader awareness of workers' rights. The successful outcome of this strike served as a catalyst for increased solidarity among workers of all backgrounds and laid foundational principles for future labor movements.
Shifts in Attitudes Towards the Vietnam War
Initially, many American workers, influenced by patriotism, supported the Vietnam War, contributing to a generally pro-war sentiment among labor union leaders. However, significant turning points occurred as the war progressed, particularly the Tet Offensive, which revealed the realities of the conflict and led to widespread disillusionment. As veterans returned home and shared their experiences, a growing opposition to the war began to take root, especially within working-class communities. This shift catalyzed the formation of groups like Labor Against the War and increased tensions between rank-and-file workers and established union leaders, who often maintained support for the war.
Emergence of Wildcat Strikes and Solidarity Tales
The late 1960s saw a notable surge in wildcat strikes as workers increasingly took matters into their own hands when official union channels failed to address their grievances. High-profile strikes, such as those by coal miners and postal workers, highlighted widespread dissatisfaction with both working conditions and the labor leadership's failure to represent worker interests. For instance, a coal miner's simple act of spilling water initiated a massive strike demanding health protections, underscoring how dire conditions could mobilize a collective response. Such actions not only reshaped the labor movement but also signified a broader cultural and political shift among young workers toward more radical forms of protest and organization.
With the background of the Vietnam war, rising prices and stagnant wages, workers in the US began to ignore calls to support the war effort and keep working, and instead launch a wave of wildcat strikes in key industries, while women homeworkers fought for lower prices. We tell the story of these struggles in this double podcast episode. Our podcast is brought to you by our patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
This is an improved, re-edited version of our original episode 8. In conversation with Jeremy Brecher, author of the excellent book, Strike!, we learn about the support for the war from union officials, the responses from the rank-and-file, and lessons we can learn from them today. In part 1, we look at the historical background, the positions of the official labour organisations, the growth of the 1960s counterculture, and strikes by mostly Black sanitation workers and bus drivers, and a national wildcat strike of coal miners.
Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Jamison D. Saltsman, Fernando López Ojeda, Jeremy Cusimano, Nick Williams and Old Norm.
Edited by Jesse French, with original editing by Emma Courtland.
Episode graphic: Postal workers on wildcat strike, 1970. Courtesy APWUcommunications/Wikimedia Commons CC SA 3.0
Our theme tune is Bella Ciao, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.