I wonder if the few remaining blue collar union workers have any awareness of union history. And how close they are now to losing union protection. I read a comment at another site in support of DeSantis and his repressive actions in Florida saying how great right to work laws are in creating a good economy. Right to work is probably the worst misnamed topic in America. What it means is the right to be fired for any reason, or no reason at all.
Those laws combined with recent Supreme Court union busting rulings make it very difficult to organize unions where none exist. These recent decisions are very similar to court decisions in the early 20th century that made efforts by the federal government to set worker safety standards difficult because of states rights and said efforts by states to do the same within their state violated the constitution.
At the time, my paternal grandfather, newly immigrated with his cousin and brother to escape from the political turmoil taking place in Mexico during the revolution there, was living at the adjacent CFI town of Tioga. As a child I frequently attended commemorations with him which took place at the site of the monument.
At the same time this was going on, Woodrow Wilson had detached the Navy, Army and Marines to Veracruz Mexico to capture the harbor there and take control of the city. Meanwhile, Europe was falling fast into the turmoil that led to WWI.
I remember that brand from before HD bought 'em...mail-order in the early-mid 80's, catalogs of the kind you would get if you mailed in the card from a magazine with the various circles filled in like a test ... Back wen I got my DAK catalogs every month! (I still have my DAK Boombox back at home somewhere)
I always like to read Erik's stuff. He's far and away my favorite labor historian (or American historian currently writing, actually). I've been to the Ludlow Massacre site several times. It's quite moving and well worth a slight detour off I-25 just north of Trinidad, CO, if you find yourself going that way.
Since Blair Mountain, there have been plenty of union-company clashes in the coalfields including both WV and Kentucky.Uncles were miners 40’s through the 70’s and though uneducated by modern standards, they were quite aware of coal mine history and hazards.If you’ve seen “Harlan County USA” you must have been struck at how company officials portrayed union members and their families as Marxist troublemakers for asking for improved wages, health benefits, and better pensions. The company insisted there was no such disease as Black Lung and fought for years to deny such benefits.Certainly sad today, though, to see the descendants of those union members worshipping anyone as vile as Trump.
It seems like most of the mountain towns lean pretty liberal. In 2020 hubby and I saw WAY more Biden signs than Trump signs on our adventures, however that changes once you get to the plains. The ranchers in general are Trumpers.
Boss pinatas are pretty cool also, too. The Salt Lake City branch of the IWW used a boss pinata for many years in it's Mayday celebration, thanks to the artisanship of one Scott Fife, who was always late for everything. He stole the meaning of "Indian time". Last I heard, he was in Portland (Oregon, not Maine). I miss him.
its really a shame that Rockfeller and other corp nice guys, didn't think up the Pedophile sliming tactic like today's GOP.. that would of really showed the world about these hard working mericans trying to eek out a living.
I wonder if the few remaining blue collar union workers have any awareness of union history. And how close they are now to losing union protection. I read a comment at another site in support of DeSantis and his repressive actions in Florida saying how great right to work laws are in creating a good economy. Right to work is probably the worst misnamed topic in America. What it means is the right to be fired for any reason, or no reason at all.
Those laws combined with recent Supreme Court union busting rulings make it very difficult to organize unions where none exist. These recent decisions are very similar to court decisions in the early 20th century that made efforts by the federal government to set worker safety standards difficult because of states rights and said efforts by states to do the same within their state violated the constitution.
At the time, my paternal grandfather, newly immigrated with his cousin and brother to escape from the political turmoil taking place in Mexico during the revolution there, was living at the adjacent CFI town of Tioga. As a child I frequently attended commemorations with him which took place at the site of the monument.
Wait? Wait? Is this the Lawyers, Guns and Money/Wonkette crossover no one saw coming????
At the same time this was going on, Woodrow Wilson had detached the Navy, Army and Marines to Veracruz Mexico to capture the harbor there and take control of the city. Meanwhile, Europe was falling fast into the turmoil that led to WWI.
I remember that brand from before HD bought 'em...mail-order in the early-mid 80's, catalogs of the kind you would get if you mailed in the card from a magazine with the various circles filled in like a test ... Back wen I got my DAK catalogs every month! (I still have my DAK Boombox back at home somewhere)
Also now do the Bisbee Deportations
https://en.wikipedia.org/wi...
It's probably because it's pretty much a suburb of Aspen these days. The coal miners have been gone for a long time.
How many of the idiot assholes in West Virginia actually have any connection to those who fought and died in Blair Mountain?
I always like to read Erik's stuff. He's far and away my favorite labor historian (or American historian currently writing, actually). I've been to the Ludlow Massacre site several times. It's quite moving and well worth a slight detour off I-25 just north of Trinidad, CO, if you find yourself going that way.
Hmm, may just do that; it's on the way to my BIL's place in Lafayette.
It would happen today if they thought they could get away with it.
Since Blair Mountain, there have been plenty of union-company clashes in the coalfields including both WV and Kentucky.Uncles were miners 40’s through the 70’s and though uneducated by modern standards, they were quite aware of coal mine history and hazards.If you’ve seen “Harlan County USA” you must have been struck at how company officials portrayed union members and their families as Marxist troublemakers for asking for improved wages, health benefits, and better pensions. The company insisted there was no such disease as Black Lung and fought for years to deny such benefits.Certainly sad today, though, to see the descendants of those union members worshipping anyone as vile as Trump.
It seems like most of the mountain towns lean pretty liberal. In 2020 hubby and I saw WAY more Biden signs than Trump signs on our adventures, however that changes once you get to the plains. The ranchers in general are Trumpers.
Boss pinatas are pretty cool also, too. The Salt Lake City branch of the IWW used a boss pinata for many years in it's Mayday celebration, thanks to the artisanship of one Scott Fife, who was always late for everything. He stole the meaning of "Indian time". Last I heard, he was in Portland (Oregon, not Maine). I miss him.
He knows NU-Thingk.
its really a shame that Rockfeller and other corp nice guys, didn't think up the Pedophile sliming tactic like today's GOP.. that would of really showed the world about these hard working mericans trying to eek out a living.