A Shoeleather History of the Wobblies: Stories of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in Connecticut - Softcover

Steve Thornton

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0989822400 ISBN 13: 9780989822404

Publisher: The Shoeleather History Project, 2013

Synopsis

Who were the Wobblies? They were a labor union like no other: the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). These militant, courageous men and women, from all races and ethnic groups, changed the way working people of the early 20th century responded to the growing gap between the rich and everyone else. The IWW established an organizing model still being used today by unions, civil rights groups and other progressive movements: effective cross-ethnic organizing, mass nonviolent direct action, community coalition building, and an inspiring, democratic vision of the future. These are the lessons we can still learn from the Wobblies.

About this title

About the Author:

Steve Thornton is a retired union organizer and community activist who has led strikes and organizing campaigns in Connecticut for the past 35 years. He has trained hundreds of people in nonviolent direct action and thousands of workers to become rank and file leaders. Steve has worked to build coalitions between various groups working on economic, racial, and environmental justice. His international work includes making solidarity connections with working peoples' struggles in Havana, Belfast, Managua and Oslo. His work as an organizer is featured in Social Movements and Activists in the USA by Stephen Valocchi.

Review:

Connecticut History Review, Spring, 2014
  "A Shoeleather History is unabashedly inspirational... aims to create a useable past for present activists."
Steve Thornton tells very different stories, of radical agitators who preached class consciousness, founded unions & led wildcat job actions throughout Connecticut in the years 1905-1919. [He] brings to light dimensions of discontent and volatility among industrial workers... exhilarating to hear the voices and learn the strivings of people who pursued IWW ideals in Connecticut.  


 

 

About this edition

• Publisher: The Shoeleather History Project
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0989822400
• ISBN 13: 9780989822404
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 150