Jan 24, 2021 – The 1934 West Coast ports strike – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 344

Description: In 1934, longshoremen along the entire US West coast emerged as a powerful force in organized labor, staging a general strike in San Francisco and unionizing every port on the coast. Kelley, Rachel, and Bill discuss.

Links and notes for Ep. 344 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/AFD-Ep-344-Links-and-Notes-The-1934-West-Coast-Longshoremens-Strike.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Jan 17, 2021 – The West Coast Ports Lockout of 2002 – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 342

Description: It’s October 2002. Congress is debating the Iraq War Resolution. George W. Bush invokes the Taft-Hartley Act for the first time in decades to halt a lockout of West Coast longshoremen in a contract dispute over future automation. Bill, Rachel, Kelley.

Links and notes for Ep. 342 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/AFD-Ep-342-Links-and-Notes-The-West-Coast-Ports-Lockout-of-2002.pdf

Jan 10, 2021 – Taft-Hartley – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 340

Description: Rachel, Kelley, and Bill discuss the passage of the 1947 Taft-Hartley Act and its effects against US labor unions, as well as the potential role of white-collar workers in organized labor’s future.

Links and notes for Ep. 340 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/AFD-Ep-340-Links-and-Notes-Taft-Hartley.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Dec 20, 2020 – Toledo Auto-Lite Strike of 1934 – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 338

Description: In 1934, an army of the unemployed rallied to the defense of a new labor union in one of the hardest-hit cities of the Great Depression, facing down the Ohio National Guard. Bill and Rachel discuss.

Links and notes for Ep. 338 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/AFD-Ep-338-Links-and-Notes-The-Toledo-Auto-Lite-Strike-of-1934.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Nov 29, 2020 – William B. Wilson, First Labor Secretary – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 335

Description: William B. Wilson, the first U.S. Secretary of Labor, began union organizing at age 12. He went on to serve in Congress before leading the department he helped create to aid the interests of workers. Bill and Rachel discuss.

Links and notes for Ep. 335 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/AFD-Ep-335-Links-and-Notes-William-B-Wilson.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Nov 15, 2020 – The Coal Strikes of 1902 and 1919 – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 333

Description: In 1902 and 1919, US coal miners undertook huge strikes and both times they won. In one case, the intervention of a US President sealed the win. But what happened in the other? Bill and Rachel discuss.

Links and notes for Ep. 333 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/AFD-Ep-333-Links-and-Notes-The-Coal-Strikes-of-1902-and-1919.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Oct 25, 2020 – The Memorial Day Massacre of 1937 – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 330

Description: In 1937, Chicago Police, acting on behalf of the “Little Steel” industrialists who wanted to end the New Deal, fired unprovoked into a crowd of peaceful strikers and their families. Then came a PR spin fight. Bill and Rachel discuss.

Links and notes for Ep. 330 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/AFD-Ep-330-Links-and-Notes-The-Memorial-Day-Massacre-of-1937.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.