Podcast Summary
Collective Action: 50,000 lumberjacks achieved the eight-hour workday through collective action, while three African-American sharecroppers and 21 writers also successfully fought for fair wages and working conditions
Key takeaway from today's Labor Radio Podcast is the power of collective action in securing better wages and working conditions. On this day in labor history, we remember three significant strikes. In 1917, 50,000 lumberjacks demanded and eventually achieved the eight-hour workday. In 1931, an African-American sharecropper named Robert Gray was murdered for leading a union in Cap Hill, Alabama. And in 1920, 21 writers for Lovestruck went on strike against their employer for fair compensation and decent working conditions. Three weeks later, they reached a settlement that brought meaningful pay raises and other improvements. Lincoln once said, "Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally." This quote encapsulates the spirit of fighting for fairness and equality in the workplace. Stay informed about the latest labor news by subscribing to the Labor Heritage Foundation's free weekly newsletter at LaborHeritage.org.