Jeff Schuhrke

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.

Jeff Schuhrke, a labor historian and activist, takes listeners on a riveting journey through the complex relationship between US labor and global anti-communism. He reveals how major labor organizations, like the AFL-CIO, transformed into tools of US foreign policy, participating in coup efforts across Latin America and beyond. Schuhrke explains the deradicalization of labor movements during the Cold War and discusses the consequences of this shift for workers globally, advocating for a return to anti-imperialist internationalism.

Jeff Schuhrke, a Professor of Labor Studies and author of Blue Collar Empire, joins guest host Micah Utrecht to dive into the shadowy history of the U.S. labor movement during the Cold War. They discuss how organized labor became entangled in anti-communist strategies, undermining leftist unions both here and abroad. Schuhrke reveals the complexities of labor leaders aligning with imperialistic agendas, and how this legacy has shaped the current conservative state of workers' movements. They also explore contemporary implications for labor activism and the need for global solidarity.

Historian Jeff Schuhrke discusses labor's response to Gaza, union history with US militarism, and the need for tangible action. Topics include US labor support for military interventions, unions endorsing candidates involved in conflicts, conservatives using anti-Semitism laws against pro-Palestinian unions, and the AFL-CIO's role in global anti-communism. Learn about Jeff Schuhrke's upcoming book 'Blue-Collar Empire' and his call for global worker solidarity.

Jeff Schuhrke, a labor historian and union activist, delves into the shocking use of American unions by the CIA to undermine labor movements during the Cold War. He reveals the AFL-CIO's betrayal in blocking revolutionary ideologies, reshaping global labor dynamics. Schuhrke discusses the internal conflicts of the CIO, the historical roots of free trade unionism, and the missed opportunities for labor in the 1960s civil rights movements. He also highlights the legacies of key figures like Walter Ruther and the ongoing implications for modern worker rights.