Labor Lines

Unrest in Iraq is heating up and once again we sadly hear about horrifying destruction and increasing brutality among the factions.  Yet, where are the workers? Professor Michael Zweig, the Director of Stony Brook’s Center for the Study of Working Class Life, recently helped develop a film about workers in Iraq. He had rare opportunities to talk to Iraqi workers and shares his insights on our program. Next, we speak with TWU 100’s Charles Jenkins who heads the union’s apprenticeship program and also serves as President of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists NY.  Although decades have passed since the most challenging days of the civil rights movement, unfortunately political and societal trends, at times, seem to be stagnating or even reversing. Jenkins describes difficulties black workers still face and the importance of coalition building in addressing racial, gender and economic disparities.