On this day, 28 May 1913, thousands of dockworkers in Philadelphia won their two-week strike for a pay increase and union recognition.
They had recently joined the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), chartered as Local 8. This local branch had more Black members than any other Wobbly branch, led by the African-American dockworker, Ben Fletcher (pictured).
Local 8 was probably the most racially and ethnically integrated union in the United States during the WWI era. Black and Irish workers, Eastern European migrants and others all belonged. Local 8 also was among the most durable branches of the IWW, dominating the waterfront, despite massive employer and government repression, for almost a decade.
We have just produced a three-part podcast miniseries about Fletcher, with the final part out today: it is a bonus episode exclusively for our supporters on patreon. You can support us and listen to it here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/e74-1-ben-bonus-83673762 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=634160945423791&set=a.602588028581083&type=3