Voices of Labor - Kenneth Wilson

Voices of Labor - Kenneth Wilson

Author: Gabe Christy and Young Sam James August 8, 2025 Duration: 2:43
At Philadelphia's 2025 May Day Rally and March, Gabe and Sam ran around with a microphone to get recordings from union members, organizers, and workers. Each person was asked 4 questions: -Who was the worst boss you've ever had and why? -Are you part of a union? -What does being a union member mean to you? -What was your favorite moment of solidarity that you've witnessed? Submit your story at www.laborjawn.com/voices Support the show www.laborjawn.com

There’s a particular rhythm to a city’s past, one often drowned out by the usual stories of founders and famous figures. Labor Jawn tunes into a different frequency, following the beat of everyday life and collective struggle that truly built Philadelphia. Hosted by historian Gabe Christy and musician Young Sam James, this podcast digs into the rich, gritty, and frequently overlooked working-class history of the city and the wider world it connects to. Each episode feels like a conversation you’d overhear in a neighborhood taproom, blending rigorous historical research with the cultural echoes found in music and art. You’ll hear about the factory floors and union halls, the dockyards and domestic spaces where ordinary people organized, created, and pushed for change. The dynamic between Christy’s expertise and James’s cultural insight makes the past feel immediate and surprisingly relevant, revealing how yesterday’s fights for dignity and a fair wage still resonate today. It’s a deep, engaging listen for anyone curious about the real foundations of a city, understanding that history is never just about dates, but about the sound of countless voices rising together. Find more from Labor Jawn wherever you get your podcasts.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Labor Jawn
Podcast Episodes
du Pont Family - Interview with Lucas Clawson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:55
We sit down with historian Lucas R. Clawson to discuss the du Pont family's history of labor relations. https://lucasrclawson.com/ Originally aired: August 8, 2022. Support the show www.laborjawn.com
Hazleton General Textile Strike [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:30
When the United Textile Workers of America declared a general textile strike in 1934, the people of Hazleton, Pennsylvania had a choice: would they stand with the textile workers, or the bosses? Originally aired: Novembe…
1981 Philadelphia Teachers Strike [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:24
In the midst of Reaganomics, a budget crisis, and a school board imposing layoffs and school closures, Philadelphia's teachers fight for "the integrity of [their] contract, the contracts of all people, and, in general, h…
1903 Carpenters Strike [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:45
In 1903, all building construction in Philadelphia was brought to a grinding halt when just a few thousand carpenters showed the power of their union. Originally aired: February 6, 2023. Support the show www.laborjawn.co…
1946 Electrical Workers Strike [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43:00
After World War 2, American soldiers came home to low wages and strict bosses. In 1946, 200,000 electrical appliance workers struck in cities across the country with 20,000 in Philadelphia alone. They had just beaten Naz…
General Textile Strike of 1921 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:28
The General Textile Strike in Philadelphia helped set the stage for the very radical hosiery workers who continued to fight throughout the 1920s and into the Great Depression. Originally aired: March 8, 2022. Support the…
1916 Stetson Strike [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:26
In 1916, workers at the John B. Stetson hat company in Philadelphia went on strike for better wages and conditions. Support the show www.laborjawn.com
1902 Horseshoers Strike [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:11
Horseshoeing was a booming industry in Philadelphia back when horses were the primary means of transportation. In 1902, the men and children who did most of the work struck for better wages, hours, and conditions, effect…
Max Staller and the 1890 Cloakmakers Strike [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:24
When cloakmakers in New York struck for union recognition, their comrades in Philly joined in, bolstered by local Jewish anarchists. Originally aired: January 9, 2023. Support the show www.laborjawn.com
1986 Philadelphia Municipal Strike [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:53
Philadelphia's municipal workers have had to fight hard for a decent wage and basic benefits. After 3 years of setbacks and wage freezes, in 1986 their struggle pitted thousands of city workers, led by Earl Stout, the la…