Labor History Talks: Recent Episodes
Labor History Talks
Organizing a collective platform for working class people to record, access and share the history of our ongoing struggles and wins in the international labor movement.
Women in the Labor Movement: Clara Zetkin and International Women's Day. Originally recorded August 28, 2020.
The anti-labor movement, racism, and the history of "right to work" laws. What's disgusting? Union Busting! Originally recorded January 21, 2020.
Leslie Masland (vice article: https://www.vice.com/en/article/g5gzz4/our-future-is-not-for-sale-america-is-witnessing-the-biggest-strike-wave-in-a-generation) Alex Wells on the environment leading up to and surrounding the strike. Luz Villafana, San Diego County Employee during the strike(narrated) Dee Myers, San Diego County Employee during the strike Linda Correa, San Diego County Employee during the strike
This session of Labor History Talks was recorded on October 19, 2021.
In that town called San Diego, when the workers try to talk, The cops will smash them with a sap and tell them, "Take a walk!" They throw them in a bull-pen and they feed them rotten beans, And they call that law and order in that city; so it seems
The Little Red Songbook's "We're Bound For San Diego" (1912)
This session of Labor History Talks was recorded on November 17, 2021.
Avery Wear discusses the relationship between law enforcement and labor efforts in the United States as well as efforts to resist imperialism by subordinates in the military during events such as the Vietnam War.
Labor History Talks focuses on the relations between the LGBTQ+ community and labor efforts. Speaking are Avery Wear and Nicole. Recorded on 06/18/2021
General resources (special thanks to Avery & Leslie for the great suggestions!):
Great general intros/quick reads: “How LGBTQ Union Activists Transformed the Labor Movement” https://www.teenvogue.com/story/lgbtq-union-activists-transformed-the-labor-movement “LGBT Labor History is All Our History” https://www.autostraddle.com/lgbt-labor-history-is-all-our-history/ Pride at Work guide (1990): https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Pride-at-Work-1990.pdf Pride at Work website: https://www.prideatwork.org/ Miriam Frank, Out in the Union Miriam Frank, “Queer Liberation is a Labor Issue” https://www.jacobinmag.com/2019/06/queer-liberation-labor-movement-pride-month Pride Month, Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/lgbt-pride-month/about/
Marine Cooks & Stewards Union Sherry Wolf, Socialism & Sexuality
Harvey Milk Milk (2008 biopic) (available on various streaming services)
LGSM Pride (2014) (available on various streaming services)
Avery Wear and Jim Boyle speak on Immigration from a Labor perspective, providing some historical background and sharing lived experiences. Recorded on 05/18/2021
A night with Toni Gilpin, sharing about The Long Deep Grudge, ending with questions and encouraging words for labor organizers.
A talk covering some of the history of working from home and the impacts that COVID-19 has had on workers and their relationships with the workplace. The featured speakers are Alexander Wells, Avery Wear, and Mamie McCall. June 09, 2020
Slavery, Emancipation, and the Labor Movement Presented by Avery Wear in cooperation with SEIU 221 San Diego Research by Alex Wells Produced by Ian Hudson and Victor Liu Graphic Design by Lydia Ekeroth
Will technology destroy the labor movement? Presented by Avery Wear in cooperation with SEIU 221 San Diego Produced by Ian Hudson and Victor Liu Graphic Design by Lydia Ekeroth
Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers Presented by Avery Wear in cooperation with SEIU 221 San Diego Produced by Ian Hudson and Victor Liu Graphic Design by Lydia Ekeroth
Introduction to U.S. Labor History Presented by Avery Wear in cooperation with SEIU 221 San Diego Produced by Ian Hudson and Victor Liu Graphic Design by Lydia Ekeroth
Doing It Ourselves A History of Rank-and-File, Independent Action in Unions Presented by Avery Wear in cooperation with SEIU 221 San Diego Produced by Ian Hudson and Victor Liu Graphic Design by Lydia Ekeroth
Social Justice Unionism The Black Freedom Struggle and the Labor Movement Presented by Avery Wear in cooperation with SEIU 221 San Diego Produced by Ian Hudson and Victor Liu Graphic Design by Lydia Ekeroth