Labor 131: Jackson discusses the impact of wars on American workers

In honor of the 131st year of Labor Day, the America’s Work Force Union Podcast has partnered with the National Labor Office of Blue Cross Blue Shield and LAWCHA to bring you Labor 131. Visiting lecturer at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Justin Jackson, joined the podcast to discuss the intertwining of labor history and warfare in the U.S. 

Jackson emphasized the often-overlooked link between labor movements and international conflicts. He highlighted how unions have historically played a role in shaping America’s foreign policy, citing examples from World War II and the Vietnam War. Jackson argued that workers should care about foreign policy because it directly affects their livelihoods, from job opportunities to the allocation of federal resources. He stressed that understanding this connection is crucial for unions to effectively advocate for their members’ interests on a global scale. 

The conversation turned to the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and his vision of intertwining civil rights with workers’ rights. Jackson explained how King saw economic equality as inseparable from racial equality, pointing out that access to jobs and fair wages were essential components of the civil rights movement. This perspective, he noted, remains relevant today as unions continue to fight for both social and economic justice for their members. 

Jackson then drew parallels between current political divisions and the tensions leading up to the American Civil War. He warned that the deep polarization and inability to agree on basic facts mirror the 1850s, a period marked by political violence and radical differences. Jackson cautioned that while talk of civil war is more prevalent on the right, the left should remain aware of the ongoing “civil war” between capital and labor. He emphasized the importance of unions in safeguarding democracy and workers’ rights amid these tensions. 

For more insights on the intersection of labor history and warfare, listen to the full episode with Justin Jackson on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast.