This edition of Labor 131, presented by the National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, features Rudi Batzell, Associate Professor of History at Lake Forest College and former UAW Staff Organizer, who joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his book “Organizing Workers in the Shadow of Slavery.”
Batzell explored the historical roots of racial divisions in the American labor movement, the impact of failed land reform after the Civil War and strategies for building a more inclusive union future. His research revealed how the lack of land reform following the Civil War created a vast pool of landless, economically repressed laborers in the South. He explained how this “reserve army of labor” was often recruited as strikebreakers, exacerbating racial tensions within the working class. Unlike in Ireland, where successful land reform eliminated a similar pool of potential strikebreakers, the U.S. labor movement was forced to focus on organizing more privileged craft workers, largely excluding low-skill immigrants and African American laborers, Batzell said.
The rise of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) in the 1930s marked a significant shift towards more inclusive unionism. Batzell highlighted how the CIO's success in organizing industrial workers across racial lines was partly due to the influence of communist organizers who prioritized both economic and racial justice. However, he noted that progress in overcoming racial divisions at the local level often lagged behind national rhetoric, emphasizing the ongoing challenge of addressing racial inequality within the labor movement.
Looking to the future, Batzell stressed the importance of unions addressing both economic and racial justice issues simultaneously. He argued that the labor movement cannot afford to set aside racial concerns, pointing to the persistent wealth gap between white and black working-class households as evidence of ongoing racial divisions. Batzell advocated for a more daring approach to political engagement and organizing, citing recent examples of unions backing progressive candidates who speak authentically to working-class concerns.
Listen to the full episode for more insights from Batzell on labor history and union strategy.