Jacob Morrison, Co-host of The Valley Labor Report, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his conversations with building trades unions and government workers about the potential impacts the presidential election results could have on future work projects in Alabama. Morrison also discussed the lessons that unions could learn by examining Alabama’s labor history.
Following the confirmation of the Presidential election results, many labor movement members have expressed concerns. Morrison discussed some of the conversations he has had as President of the North Alabama Area Labor Council about the potential impact on federally funded projects in Alabama. Not just members of the building trades but also government employees have expressed their concerns. Morrison, an American Federation of Government Employees member, shared the problems he and his fellow workers expect in the future.
Morrison pointed out that the changes could make unions a more vital part of the workforce. He pointed to Alabama’s labor history as a perfect example of the labor movement's role in society through solidarity. The United Mine Workers of America significantly contributed to eliminating segregationist policies in some Alabama mining communities in the late 1800s and early 1900s in the Alabama coal mines. Morrison discussed the integrated Mine Workers' pressure on Alabama’s Labor Movement to end segregationist policies and build a stronger, inclusive labor community.
The solidarity shown by the Mine Workers in Alabama extended to solidarity with all labor unions in the state. Together with the United Steelworkers and several other unions, they built pro-union sentiment, which led to a pro-union, anti-segregationist Governor, Jim Folsom. Morrison discussed how the solidarity of the labor movement helped workers make significant gains in the workplace, growing to as much as 24 percent of the workforce being unionized. While those gains did not last, Morrison said unions could learn several lessons to help improve solidarity in the labor movement and grow at a time when workers need protections in the workplace.
For more from Morrison, listen to the show above. To contribute to the coverage of Southern Labor provided by The Valley Labor Report, please click here.