A fair wage for a fair day's work

A 1981 teachers strike by Lawrence Township Education Association (NJ). Pictured are Bud Rue and Meritt Francis.

A fair wage for a fair day's work
My great-grandfather was a Kansas lead miner, before the days of organized labor. His work literally killed him. His son, my grandfather, was an automobile assembly line worker in Detroit during and after the Depression. He was a UAW member. In part hoping to get out of the oppressive cycle imposed on his own father by the automobile manufacturers, my father chose to attend college and become a teacher.

At right is a photo I took in 1981 of my late father striking against what he and his coworkers viewed as unfair contracting practices by the school district where they taught. The red and white sign which my father is shown carrying says, "We can't sink our teeth into our work without a dental plan." That theme sounds familiar.

The battle for fair work conditions continues in all fields of endeavor.

Come all of you good workers. Good news to you I'll tell, Of how the good old union has come in here to dwell.
Which side are you on? Which side are you on? Which side are you on? Which side are you on? My daddy was a miner And I'm a miner's son, And I'll stick with the union Till ev'ry battle's won. They say in Harlan County There are no neutrals there. You'll either be a union man [alternate: "You're either with the union"] Or a thug for J.H. Blaire Oh, workers, can you stand it? Oh, tell me how you can. Will you be a lousy scab Or will you be a man? Don't scab for the bosses, Don't listen to their lies. Us poor folks haven't got a chance Unless we organize Which side are you on? Which side are you on? Which side are you on? Which side are you on? Florence Reece, 1932 [ HOME ]