More from Dick Meister
The Plight Of The Pregnant Worker
(00:04:42)
From: Dick Meister
Despite the anti-discrimination laws, many pregnant workers are being legally fired for being pregnant.
Sit Down, Punk!
(00:04:56)
From: Dick Meister
Labor leader Art Carter was an important but now largely forgotten hero of the anti-Vietnam War movement.
So, What About The State Of The Unions, Mr. President?
(00:04:43)
From: Dick Meister
Although President Obama said nothing about organized labor in his State of the Union address, he won labor plaudits for the pro-worker programs he proposed.
Labor's Honorary Lesbian
(00:04:13)
From: Dick Meister
San Francisco labor leader Walter Johnson was a key supporter of gay rights.
It's Do Or Die For The United Auto Workers
(00:04:26)
From: Dick Meister
The United Auto Workers is in danger of losing its standing as one of the country's most important institutions.
Student Athletes Deserve Pay For Their Play
(00:03:49)
From: Dick Meister
So-called student athletes should be paid for their work in bringing billions of dollars to the nation's colleges and universities.
A Decent Living For All?
(00:06:25)
From: Dick Meister
The minimum wage is increasing in eight states.
Stamp Out Sexual Harrassment!
(00:02:53)
From: Dick Meister
The need to combat sexual harassment on the job is drawing lots of attention.
Unemployment Slamming Public Employees
(00:04:03)
From: Dick Meister
Public employees, many of them African-Americans, are being hit particularly hard by today's high levels of unemployment.
Six Ways To Heal The Economy
(00:03:25)
From: Dick Meister
The AFL-CIO has a very promising plan to heal our very sick economy.
Related Pieces
Piece Description
Harry Bridges, who died 20 years ago this month, was a remarkable leader -- the co-founder and for 40 years president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, one of the world's most progressive and influential organizations. Bridges played a key role in the spread of unions nationwide. And, in winning a long battle against attempts to deport him to his native Austrailia for alleged Communist ties, Bridges helped strengthen the civil liberties of all Americans.
Broadcast History
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Transcript
He died 20 years ago this month .. .Harry Bridges, one of the past century’s most remarkable leaders …the co-founder and for 40 years president of the San Francisco-based International Longshore and Warehouse Union … the ILWU ...one of the most progressive and influential organizations in the world.
Twenty years. But I can still see him … tall, wiry, gray-haired. hawk-nosed. I can see him pacing behind the podium at ILWU meetings . . . nervously twirling a gavel, puffing incessantly on a cigarette … calling on union members … white, black, Asian, Latino, in the broad accent of his native Australia. I hear him actually encouraging debate and dissent.
Harry Bridges was not in it for money. His salary as union president was far less than he would have made had he remained a working longshoreman. Bridges was in it because of his unswerving belief in the rank-and-file, as he once told...
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Intro and Outro
INTRO:Commentator Dick Meister recalls an exceptional leader.
OUTRO:Dick Meister is a longtime labor and political journalist.
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