A Soundtrack for Labor Day

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A Soundtrack for Labor Day

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Union Blog

From Joe Hill and The Weavers to Pete Seeger and Dolly Parton, songwriters have penned many memorable songs throughout the years that have struck a chord with working class Americans.

As the nation prepares to celebrate Labor Day on Monday, AFGE Local 1812 Member Ted Landphair recalls how music has played a powerful tool for union organizers to call attention to workforce abuses by corporations and other employers.

Landphair has recorded a special podcast for Voice of America that includes some of these memorable songs. So you’ll have something to hum along to as you’re grilling out those hamburgers and hotdogs this Labor Day.

To get you in the mood, here’s the classic Joan Baez song, “Joe Hill,” in a moving video of our nation’s mine workers: