In 1969, Black workers at the two public hospitals in Charleston, South Carolina were paid $1.35 and hour. That was five cents above the minimum wage, and the equivalent of $9.55 an hour fifty years later. They organized and went on strike.
This movie has just been added to the National Film Registry. From the beginning of unions in the United States, they had been dominated by White men, in part because the skilled trades were the first to organize, and in part because of old-fashioned ideas. With the 1960s being an era of civil rights movements and the increasing entry of women into the workplace, this was,a natural place for union activism to expand its reach and gain some progressive credits. Besides, it was the right thing to do.
Although much of the speechifying is content free boosterism, the basic message is clear enough: minimum wage was not enough to live on, and the only people likely to help you were in the same situation...and a few idealists.
This movie has just been added to the National Film Registry. From the beginning of unions in the United States, they had been dominated by White men, in part because the skilled trades were the first to organize, and in part because of old-fashioned ideas. With the 1960s being an era of civil rights movements and the increasing entry of women into the workplace, this was,a natural place for union activism to expand its reach and gain some progressive credits. Besides, it was the right thing to do.
Although much of the speechifying is content free boosterism, the basic message is clear enough: minimum wage was not enough to live on, and the only people likely to help you were in the same situation...and a few idealists.
