EXTRA! EXTRA! Read All About the Real Newsies

EXTRA! EXTRA! Read All About the Real Newsies

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 […]

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The Bisbee Deportation

The Bisbee Deportation

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 […]

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Toledo Auto-Lite Strike

Toledo Auto-Lite Strike

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 […]

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Look for the Union Label

Look for the Union Label

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 […]

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A Song for an Unsung Hero

A Song for an Unsung Hero

Tom Morello is known by many as the guitarist for the band Rage Against the Machine. However, in recent years, Morello has also become known by his alter ego, the Nightwatchman, a modern day, labor-inspired Johnny Cash. His songs have become the soundtrack to the labor movement, from the grocery strike of 2003 to the […]

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Weingarten Rights: The story of Leura Collins

Weingarten Rights: The story of Leura Collins

Short of the right to organize and join a union, there are few rights more sacred to the labor movement then the right to have union representation during an interrogation. Known as Weingarten Rights, these rights have protected millions of workers in the U.S. from harsh interrogations, coerced confessions or written statements and even legally […]

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A Martyr blooms in the Lettuce Fields

A Martyr blooms in the Lettuce Fields

Shortly before noon on Saturday, February 10, 1979, Rufino Contreras and a half-dozen other United Farm Workers walked onto a lettuce field owned by Mario Saikhon. They were into the 22nd day of a bitter strike against Saikhon and had hoped to convince the scab workers to honor their line. But as they approached the […]

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