Latest News & Updates

EDITOR'S NOTE: Today's edition is late because it's my birthday and I've been out and about celebrating (I highly recommend the new film "The Taste of Things"; be sure to schedule dinner afterwards!). No presents, please, but do consider becoming a member of LHF! - Chris Garlock

Update on saving the UE ‘Solidarity’ mural

“I have bad news and good news about the effort to preserve the ‘Solidarity’ mural at the UE Hall in Chicago,” reports Kari Thompson, Director of UE’s Research and Education Fund. “The bad news is that the large-scale emergency foundation funding we were hoping for, which would have paid for the entire process of preserving the mural, did not come through. But the good news is that we have raised enough money to remove and save the walls containing the most important parts of the mural, and that work will begin on Friday. Every additional dollar we can raise right now will help us save more of the mural — and any amount helps. Please consider making a contribution today.” CLICK HERE to donate.

photo: UE General President Carl Rosen gives a final tour of the mural in its original home to the Illinois Labor History Society on February 10.

Catch the Arts Exchange Early Bird!

The 2024 Labor Notes Conference – which includes the Great Labor Arts Exchange -- is just two months away: April 19-21. Act fast and register today—the early-bird rate of $140 expires on March 1!

JOIN US FOR THE 2024 LABOR NOTES CONFERENCE & GREAT LABOR ARTS EXCHANGE! WHEN: Friday, April 19, 9 a.m. - Sunday, April 21, 3 p.m.

WHERE: Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Rosemont (Chicago), Illinois

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL!: Registration just $140 ($45 off the regular price of $185) until March 1! Register at labornotes.org/2024.

Support Broadway actors

Actors' Equity Association has been in negotiations with The Broadway League since January 22. “After seven meetings, it's become clear that the producers aren't interested in updating this contract to meet the needs of the 2024 economy,” reports AEA’s Stefanie Frey. Equity's National Council has authorized a strike on the Development Agreement is necessary. “We hope it won't come to that, and that's why your support is critical.” Sign our petition to The Broadway League, and tell them that you support fair wages and worker protections for actors and stage managers while a show is being created.

ON AIR: THE LABOR HERITAGE POWER HOUR

Black, Red, White and Blue: Union and civil rights organizer Si Kahn on “Black, Red, White and Blue,” his song about a Black World War II veteran; "Campbell's Slave Pen," a brand-new song from the R.J. Phillips Band about the Baltimore slave trade and liberation of the captives by Union troops during the Civil War; “Detroit Diva” Lynn Marie Smith on “Union Funk,” and a special treat, a live recording of legendary folksinger Anne Feeney, who died three years ago this month, accepting the Joe Hill Award – and singing -- at the 2005 Great Labor Arts Exchange (click here for info on the 2024 GLAE at Labor Notes). Plus, the LaborForce podcast’s Michael Struchen on his favorite labor song.

Labor SONG of the Week

“I wanted to send you this video of a new song I recorded called Go Ask Angela, in honor of Angela Davis,” writes Colleen Kattau, “calling attention to the prison industrial complex. Thinking it would be good for honoring Black History Month.”

Labor ART of the Week

Got great labor art? Email us at [email protected]

LHF's comprehensive listing of labor's cultural events: music, films, theater, books, history and more...

Click here to add your labor arts event!

THEATRE: We Got the Power

Tue, February 20, 7pm – 9pm

Solas Bar, 232 E 9th St, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10003

Make a reservation.

RADIO/PODCAST: Labor Heritage Power Hour

Thu, February 22, 1pm – 2pm

PFW 89.3 FM or listen online:

Podcast version available at 2p

FILM: Rustin

Fri, February 23, 7pm – 9pm

AFI Silver Theatre; Tickets here

Co-sponsored by the DC Labor FilmFest

NOTE: Also screens on Feb 24-28; check for times.

Great Labor Arts Exchange (at Labor Notes)

Apr 18 – 21, 2024

Once again the Great Labor Arts Exchange will be part of the Labor Notes Conference this year. Labor arts workshops and performances will be woven throughout the weekend in Chicago. Labor Notes Conferences are the biggest gatherings of grassroots union activists, union reformers, and all-around troublemakers out there! Register by March 1 for a big discount. Here's the link to book in the LN block at the DoubleTree. Don’t miss a weekend of inspiration, education, and agitation!

LABOR HISTORY TODAY

February 16, 1870

Leonora O’Reilly was born in New York. The daughter of Irish immigrants, she began working in a factory at 11, joined the Knights of Labor at 16, and was a volunteer investigator of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911. She was a founding member of the Woman’s Trade Union League – 1870

On this week’s Labor History Today podcast, Art Shields: The People’s Scribe: Art Shields covered it all, as a reporter for the Daily Worker on the front lines in Spain, as a labor journalist, and organizer himself. He covered many key events for the left including the defense of Sacco & Vanzetti, the Battle of Blair Mountain, the organizing drives in Harlan County, the sit-down strike in Flint, Michigan, and many more. Art believed that strong unions were one of the best defenses against fascism, and covered the defense of those trade union leaders under attack during McCarthyism.

LABOR HISTORY QUIZ OF THE WEEK

What kind of workers started a general strike on Feb. 16, 1926?

Garment workers

Furriers

Steelworkers

LAST WEEK'S QUIZ: Wobblie activist Tom Mooney was convicted in a bombing frame-up orchestrated by Pinkerton Detective Agency. He was pardoned and released 22 years later.

"The worker must have bread, but she must have roses, too."

Please CLICK HERE NOW to pledge your financial support to our 2024 program, which includes our annual Solidarity Forever Award, the Great Labor Arts Exchange, the DC Labor FilmFest and much more (check out our website for details!).

Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

RECENT NEWSLETTERS

Flood fails to sweep away Socialist Labor Party Hall (1/26)

“Dazzling” night at LHF’s MLK Ball (1/19)

“Solidarity and song will get us through” (1/11) North Pole Elves Win Big with Escalating Strike (12/22)

Share This Email