Labor Day 2026
Summary
For Labor Day 2026, Sam Seder and Emma Green play a traditional compilation of historic labor speeches, including Eugene Debs, FDR, John L. Lewis, and Mario Savio. The episode highlights a record-high public favorability for unions and notes the influence of the Biden administration's labor policies. It also features a folk song by Uncle George Jones and discusses the historical divide between student activists and union workers.
Topics discussed
Introduction and Labor Day special announcement
Tradition of playing labor speeches and past episodes
Overview of speakers: FDR, Perkins, Savio, Lewis, Sanders
Current union favorability and political context
Sponsor segment: Blueland cleaning products
Transition to the annual speech compilation
Eugene Debs: Anti-war speeches and imprisonment
FDR: The Four Freedoms and economic security
John L. Lewis: Union power and political endorsement
Uncle George Jones: Folk song on union revival
Mario Savio: Berkeley Free Speech Movement speech
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