This edition of Labor 131, presented by the National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, features Augustus Wood, Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois' Labor Education Program, who joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his book, "Class Warfare in Black Atlanta." Wood explored the transformation of Atlanta from 1966 to 2015, the impact of Maynard Jackson's administration on labor unions and the ongoing challenges faced by workers in the fight for their rights.
Wood’s book details how Atlanta's demographic shift in the late 1960s led to a power struggle between newly enfranchised Black working-class voters and affluent white residents. He explained how Maynard Jackson, Atlanta's first Black mayor, used his knowledge of union organizing to effectively bust public sector unions in 1977. This action, which predated Ronald Reagan's infamous firing of air traffic controllers, set a precedent for undermining labor power in the city. Wood emphasized how this deliberate underdevelopment of labor spaces was a calculated move to gentrify Atlanta, prioritizing global business interests over the needs of working-class residents.
The professor shed light on the often-overlooked labor history of Atlanta, revealing how the city's transformation into a global economic hub came at the cost of displacing its working-class population. Wood described the period from 1968 to 1977 as a "literal labor civil war," with workers fighting for decision-making power over their lives. He highlighted how the destruction of unions, closure of auto plants and demolition of public housing were part of a larger strategy to push working-class people out of the city center, leaving them without access to resources to fight for better living and working conditions.
Wood connected Atlanta's labor history to current national issues, drawing parallels between the tactics used to suppress worker power in Atlanta and the ongoing efforts to weaken federal worker unions. He stressed the importance of understanding this history to effectively combat current challenges faced by the labor movement. Wood called for unity and collective action, emphasizing that throughout history, the united protest of people has been the most effective tool for change. He encouraged listeners to recognize the power of organized labor in addressing social problems and standing up against policies that prioritize profit over people.
To hear more about Atlanta's labor history and its relevance to current labor struggles, listen to the full episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast featuring Augustus Wood.