The War on Communists in the Hotel Workers’ Union
The history of anti-communist purges in New York’s hotel workers’ union provides a lesson in how socialists can both gain and lose influence within the labor movement.
8 Articles by: Shaun Richman
Shaun Richman teaches labor history at SUNY Empire. He is the author of We Always Had a Union: New York’s Hotel Workers Union, 1912–1953.
The Right Is Hoping the Supreme Court Scraps US Labor Law
With a number of cases now working their way through US courts, the Right is hoping the Supreme Court will scrap central elements of labor law. Unions need to prepare for this outcome, which would create a dramatically different strategic terrain for labor.
Independent Unions Can Help Break Through the Economic Crisis and Labor’s Paralysis
At the dawn of the Great Depression, millions of workers were angry and didn’t see existing unions rising to the moment. They managed to build a fighting labor movement that transformed labor law and won the welfare state as we know it.
15 Years Ago, Mad Men Quietly Began Its Engagement With Leftist Ideas
This month marks the 15th anniversary of the launch of Mad Men. The show isn’t just compelling narratively and aesthetically — it also features a little remarked upon consideration of left ideas.
When Labor Fought Rock-and-Roll
The American Federation of Musicians once tried to protect its members — by fighting rock-and-roll.
The Other Chicago Teachers’ Strike
The Chicago Teachers Union says they’re walking off the job next week — and charter school teachers might be joining them.
Making Abortion Rights Real
Yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling was a win for reproductive rights. But the fight continues for unrestricted access to abortion.