Labor

  • The Legacy of Big Bill Haywood in American Labor History

    William Dudley Haywood, known as “Big Bill,” was a pivotal figure in American labor history. His advocacy for workers’ rights led to the founding of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). Haywood faced legal challenges due to his militant stance and eventually sought exile in Soviet Russia, where he continued to support labor movements…

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  • Radicals and the Rise of the CIO: A Labor History

    The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) emerged as a powerful labor force between 1930 and 1945, largely due to the contributions of radical organizers and leftists, often disparaged yet pivotal in rallying unorganized workers. Their audacious tactics and commitment fostered significant gains in union representation amidst hostility from traditional labor leaders and the state.

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  • Mother Jones: The Most Dangerous Woman in Labor History

    Mary Harris Jones, known as Mother Jones, was a pivotal American labor activist born in Ireland in 1837. She endured personal losses that fueled her advocacy for workers’ rights, focusing on labor struggles and child labor. Her fervent activism made her a prominent figure in labor history until her death in 1930, inspiring future movements.

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