Teen Vogue columnist and independent labor reporter Kim Kelly delves into the history of American Labor, how long people have been striking for more rights and better pay, and how truly far we still have to go. From the coal mines and the garment factories to the airlines, the strip clubs and Amazon warehouses, from California to New York, she lays out how sometimes a few people can spark a movement and make big changes.
As someone who grew up hearing about the effectiveness of protesting (thanks Mom and your History Degree with a Minor in Women’s Studies!), I found this a really interesting and deep dive into the labor movement. Kelly does not shy away from any of it, including the racism, sexism, and religious intolerance that sometimes shot strikes in the foot before they could actually get a toe in the door, and the violence that strikers encountered when owners did not want their bottom lines effected. Each chapter concentrates on a different faction of labor protests (coal mining, garment work, farming, airline stewards, cleaning, sex work, prison work details, people with disabilities), and how they have all contributed to the workplace being what is now, and what it can be in the future. Even if you are not part of a Union yourself, or work in an area that would be affected by labor disputes (and wouldn’t that be difficult?) you can appreciate the struggles people have gone through. And of course Amazon and Starbucks with their “charming” views on Unions are well represented.
I will say that I found it a little interesting that nowhere in her discussion of coal mining in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, West Virginia or anywhere else did she mention how many of the miners on the East Coast were originally Welsh, bringing their own cultural input into the movement.
For anyone interested in learning more about the American Labor Movement and some of the who’s who therein, I would definitely recommend this book.