This documentary shows the formation of American unions in response to capitalists accumulating wealth and mistreating workers. It highlights some key events in the labor movement of the 1920s and 1930s and provides insight into the interplay between labour, race, politics and organisation. It deals with the establishment of the labor movement and the radical ideas behind it.
During this period, when workers want to earn a decent wage or improve their general lifestyle, the organization becomes important. Unions facilitate organized action among exploited workers who share a common end goal and desire to improve living standards and earn decent wages. This seems to be possible only through the widest possible organized cooperation.
Support for the movement comes in many forms. The documentary reflects on how writers and other artists have portrayed workers as protagonists, displaying a subtle rebellion and defiance. The imperialists, fascists and leftists took sides, and the postwar period saw a brief period of economic prosperity. Until the 1940s and after World War II, despite industry booming, workers were increasingly disadvantaged. Politics also played a big role.
Deliberately promoting Cold War bigotry led to McCarthyism. It created the perfect environment for the Truman Doctrine and US meddling in the affairs of other countries, and even targeted Hollywood for anyone who had anything to do with communism or appreciated what was considered communism (he called himself a communist).
The documentary also examines the original radical ideas and “communist” leaders who led to the success of the trade union movement, commenting on the impact of their arrest and elimination. The clockwork was of course permanently changed.
The basic worker rights that exist today would not exist without the action of the labor movement. However, it is clear that more work needs to be done and could have been done. The film finds that the richest people in the world today own more wealth than the bottom half combined. The question is, how much has actually changed?
The other parts:
Directed by: Scott Noble
