| Wobblies on the Waterfront: Interracial Unionism in Progressive-Era Philadelphia Contributor(s): Cole, Peter (Author) |
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ISBN: 0252031865 ISBN-13: 9780252031861 Publisher: University of Illinois Press OUR PRICE: $108.90 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: July 2007 Annotation: The rise and fall of America's first truly interracial labor union For almost a decade during the 1910s and 1920s, the Philadelphia waterfront was home to the most durable interracial, multiethnic union seen in the United States prior to the CIO era. For much of its time, Local 8 was majority black, always with a cadre of black leaders. The union also claimed immigrants from Eastern Europe, as well as many Irish Americans, who had a notorious reputation for racism. This important study is the first book-length examination of how Local 8, affiliated with the Industrial Workers of the World, accomplished what no other did at the time. Peter Cole outlines the factors that were instrumental in Local 8's success, both ideological (the IWW's commitment to working-class solidarity) and pragmatic (racial divisions helped solidify employer dominance). He also shows how race was central not only to the rise but also to the decline of Local 8, as increasing racial tensions were manipulated by employers and federal agents bent on the union's destruction. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Social Science | Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - Political Science | Labor & Industrial Relations - History | United States - 20th Century |
| Dewey: 331.880 |
| LCCN: 2007005059 |
| Series: Working Class in American History (Hardcover) |
| Physical Information: 0.97" H x 6.36" W x 9.15" (1.24 lbs) 256 pages |
| Themes: - Ethnic Orientation - African American - Chronological Period - 20th Century |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: During the 1910s and 1920s, the Philadelphia waterfront was home to the most durable interracial, multiethnic union seen in the United States prior to the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) era. For much of its time, Local 8's majority was African American and included immigrants from Eastern Europe as well as many Irish Americans. In this important study, Peter Cole examines how Local 8, affiliated with the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), accomplished what no other did at the time. He also shows how race was central not only to the rise but also to the decline of Local 8, as increasing racial tensions were manipulated by employers and federal agents bent on the union's destruction. |