
Labor Jawn
Philly's working class history podcast. Historian Gabe Christy and musician Young Sam James explore the who, what, when, where, and whys of the labor movement.
www.laborjawn.com
Episodes
76 episodes
Sugar Strike/Food Riots of 1917
In early 1917, workers at sugar refineries in South Philly went on strike for better hours, conditions, and pay. But after weeks of stalemate, poverty, and staggering inflation, the strike turned into a violent clash between workers’ families a...
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Episode 28
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1:07:09

1913 Hazleton Silk Strike
In Hazleton, Pennsylvania, radical silk workers fought an uphill battle against the bosses, scabs, and even the American Federation of Labor. Originally aired: January 29, 2024.
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Episode 60
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1:08:11

Hershey Chocolate Workers Strike
In the midst of the Great Depression, a group of workers at the Hershey Chocolate Company went on a sit down strike for better conditions, wages, and most importantly, union recognition. The ensuing battle pitted worker against worker as a mass...
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Episode 22
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37:48
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Philadelphia Museum of Art Strike - Interview with PMA Union
In 2020, workers at the Philadelphia Museum of Art voted to unionize, but it took 2 years and a 19 day strike for them to get a first contract. Gabe and Sam sit down with Tim Tiebout, Adam Mazieka, and Juliet Vinegra to discuss the history and ...
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45:31
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Apex Hosiery Strike
Workers from the largest non-union hosiery mill in 1930s Philadelphia go on strike. Originally aired: January 11, 2022.
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Episode 10
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33:45

Cafe, Bakery, and Roaster Organizing - Interview with Philadelphia Joint Board of Workers United
In this special interview episode, Sam and Gabe chat with Eli and Alex, organizers with Workers United, who have been building a militant union of cafe, bakery, and coffee roaster workers in Philly. Originally aired: September 18, 2...
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47:28
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Knights of Labor
Originally founded as a secret society of tailors, the Noble and Holy Order of the Knights of Labor eventually grew to become a national labor force of 700,000 workers. Episodes 18-19 originally aired: March 21, 2022.
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Episode 18
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1:04:22

Antizionism and the Labor Movement - Interview with Alison Glick and Suzanne Adely
In this special interview episode, Sam and Gabe sit down to discuss the history of zionism, antizionism, and the American labor movement, with writer and activist Alison Glick and lawyer, organizer, and activist Suzanne Adely from Labor for Pal...
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1:03:25
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1902 Anthracite Strike
After winning their first fight in 1900, Pennsylvania anthracite miners went on strike for the 8 hour day, higher wages, and union recognition. This would lead to one of the first federal mediation committees in US history.
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Episode 77
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1:03:56
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Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783
By the end of the American War for Independence, soldiers of the Pennsylvania Line had gone for months with little to no pay. Their only recourse left: mutiny against congress. Originally aired: October 4, 2022.
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Episode 35
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55:21
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Philadelphia Transit Company Strike of 1944
Wartime Philly: thousands of white transit workers walk off the job to protest the promotion of eight black employees. Originally aired: January 17, 2022.
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Episode 11
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35:33
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1919 Bartenders Strike
When prohibition became law in January 1919, it left many questions unanswered. During this uncertainty, bartenders in Philadelphia went out on strike in a political protest. Originally aired: September 19, 2022.
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Episode 34
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33:09
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Wage Theft in the Restaurant Industry - Interview with Katherine Coker
In this special interview, Sam and Gabe sit down with Katherine Coker, a former restaurant worker who has been educating and agitating around Philly, teaching people about wage theft and the conditions in the restaurant industry. Or...
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40:03
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1972-73 Teachers Strike
The 1970s were a turbulent time in American and Philadelphia history. Amidst stagnant wages, inflation, and a new law allowing public sector strikes, Philly school teachers took matters into their own hands fighting the district, mayor, and sta...
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Episode 44
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1:40:56
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1937 Exide Battery Strike
In 1937, battery workers in Philly fought for higher wages using a brand new strike tactic, triggering a rift among the labor movement in the city. Originally aired: August 7, 2023.
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Episode 52
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45:49

ACORN - Interview with Wade Rathke
In this special interview episode, Gabe and Sam talk with Wade Rathke, founder and chief organizer for ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now). Originally aired: April 27, 2023. chieforganizer.org
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36:17

Philadelphia Housing Authority
After a deadly building collapse in a predominantly black South Philly neighborhood, a coalition of housing advocates, labor leaders, and radicals pressured the city to create the Philadelphia Housing Authority. Originally aired: Ma...
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Episode 20
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36:19

Delaware River Pilots - Interview with Andrew Lyter
In the 1700s, every ship coming into Philadelphia needed a pilot to guide it. But as the wealthy merchant class started to solidify power, they started to clash with the fiercely independent sailors who guided their ships. Originall...
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48:32

Black Folk - Interview with Dr. Blair LM Kelley
In this special interview episode, Sam and Gabe sit down with Dr. Blair LM Kelley, director of the Center for the Study of the American South at the University of North Carolina, about her new book Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Cla...
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45:36
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Fast Food Workers Strike of 2013 / Fight for $15 / Relevant Rants
Fast food workers across the US strike for better pay and the raising of the minimum wage. We also take time to rant about past jobs and the utter insanity of good ol' American capitalism. Originally aired: February 7, 2022.
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Episode 13
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38:34

50th Episode Special
Gabe and Sam celebrate 50 episodes with this special tell-all journey into the past, present, and future of Labor Jawn. Originally aired: June 12, 2023.
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Episode 50
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37:57

Something Radical Happened Again!
In this special redux version of our Something Radical Happened Here presentation, Gabe Christy discusses Philadelphia's radical Jewish labor history. Recorded on March 9, 2025 at the Spruce Hill Community Association in Philadelphi...
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51:38

1959 Steel Strike at Fairless
In 1959, 500,000 Steel Workers across the country went on strike against the three major steel producers in the country. This months long battle involved everything from Cold War tensions to planned communities without mass transit.
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Episode 53
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44:56

St. Mary Nurses Strike of 2020
800 nurses in Bucks County, PA strike during the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally aired: February 28, 2022.
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Episode 16
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16:05

Brotherly Love and Radical Thought: Labor and Activism in Early Philadelphia
In a special live recording at La Salle University, Gabe explores the philosophical underpinnings of four of Philadelphia's early radical movements. Special thanks to Professor Joel Garver and his American Philosophy Class for their...
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1:08:51
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