In 1992, the Disney Company produced the musical drama Newsies. This movie tells the tale of several thousand homeless and orphaned children selling newspapers on the streets of New York City in the 1900’s. Led by 17-year-old Jack “Cowboy” Kelly, the children go on strike after the newspaper companies hike up their purchase price. Some […]

In the early hours of July 12th, 1917, 2,200 men wearing white armbands gathered in Bisbee, Arizona. At 6:30 am, on the sheriff’s command, these newly deputized vigilantes rushed through the desert mining town detaining all men thought to be union sympathizers. Hours later, 1,286 men were loaded onto manure-coated cattle cars to be transported […]

In May of 1934, the city of Toledo, Ohio found itself choked for five days by tear gas as National Guardsmen and company police battled local residents and striking workers. The city streets were littered with smoldering canisters, bricks, stones, and broken glass as workers from the Auto-Lite plant literally fought for their right to […]

On Sept. 30, 1919, a group of nearly 100 black sharecroppers was holding a union meeting in a small church in Hoop Spur, a tiny hamlet near Elaine, Arkansas. The group, members of the Progressive Household Union of America, was determined to secure a fair settlement from the planters for the yearly cotton crop. The […]

For most who grew up in the 70s, the phrase “look for the union label” will cause an immediate reaction. Some will begin humming, while others will break out in song.  Those old enough to remember will reflect back upon the commercial responsible for this musical reaction.  Beginning in 1975, the International Ladies Garment Workers […]