Category Archives: labor

Consumerism, Capitalism, Exploitation

Posted on March 26, 2016 by jyourist
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Modern Times

Posted on March 16, 2016 by jyourist

Yesterday was our last day before spring break. We just completed our Chicago History research project and Fair the previous week as well as our Pullman debates— discussing and debating labor issues, the role of unions, and the materialism of … Continue reading →

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Go back up the stairs!

Posted on March 2, 2016 by jyourist

Today we held our annual Pullman debates. We bring Eugene Debs and the ARU, George Pullman, Jane Addams, Attorney General Olney, the Reverend Carwardine, the Pullman workers, the General Managers Association, Governor Altgeld, and the Federal Troops to the table … Continue reading →

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“Vivas To Those Who Have Failed: The Paterson Silk Strike, 1913” by Martin Espada

Posted on January 20, 2016 by jyourist

Vivas to those who have fail’d!                                                                                                      And to those whose war-vessels sank in the sea!                                                                      And to those themselves who sank in the sea!                                                                            And to all generals that lost engagements, and all overcome heroes!                                 And the numberless unknown heroes … Continue reading →

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“Shirt” by Robert Pinsky

Posted on March 25, 2015 by jyourist

The back, the yoke, the yardage. Lapped seams, The nearly invisible stitches along the collar Turned in a sweatshop by Koreans or Malaysians  xxx Gossiping over tea and noodles on their break Or talking money or politics while one fitted … Continue reading →

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“Solidarity Forever”

Posted on January 19, 2015 by jyourist

This is the 100th anniversary of the song “Solidarity Forever,” first written in 1915 by Ralph Chaplin, who was a writer and artist for the IWW publication Solidarity. It was first sung at an enthusiastic labor rally of workers and immigrants … Continue reading →

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Philip Levine on America’s Workers

Posted on September 1, 2014 by jyourist

  What Work Is We stand in the rain in a long line waiting at Ford Highland Park. For work. You know what work is—if you’re old enough to read this you know what work is, although you may not … Continue reading →

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What have the unions ever done for us?

Posted on August 31, 2014 by jyourist

This was produced by Manic Times out of Australia. It speaks for itself. A couple of terms you’ll need to know: Superannuation: the Australian version of our Social Security Award System: Australian standards (legally binding) that set out minimum terms … Continue reading →

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Every day is Labor Day

Posted on September 2, 2013 by jyourist

Though many states had already established Labor Day, it did not become a federal holiday until 1894, just 6 days after Grover Cleveland and the 14,000 troops he ordered to Chicago (1,936 federal troops, 4000 National Guard, 5000 extra deputy … Continue reading →

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The rabbi in Pullman

Posted on March 7, 2013 by jyourist

The Pullman debates were today. Listening to my students, working in characters in groups of two or three, as George Pullman (dressed in tails), Attorney General Olney (in a proper beard and a suit accompanied with a light saber), Governor Altgeld, … Continue reading →

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