Laborfest: Films on American Labor Struggles

The 1913 Massacre 65 min. (2012) By Ken Ross & Louis V. Galdieri /Dreamland Pictures
A film inspired by a song by Woody Guthrie
In December 24, 1913 in Michigan’s upper peninsula town of Calument, striking copper miners and their families were at the Italian Hall to celebrate a Christmas dinner. In the midst of this celebration someone yelled fire and a stampede began that killed seventy-four people, including 59 children. The person who yelled fire was never found.
This documentary recounts that hidden story and the real history of the strike. This story is now told for the first time on film.
http://1913massacre.com
http://www.woodyguthrie.org/
http://kenross.tv/biography/

The Tool and Die Strike
26 min. (1939)
This film made by the UAW shows how a successful strike is organized and the strategy and tactics of the UAW at one of the highest points of the union. From flying picket squads to strike kitchens, the union had a highly organized plan for a successful organizing struggle.
It also included the political demand for a labor party that was raised in the early history of the UAW. This self organization by auto workers and hundreds of thousands of other workers was successful in forcing the employers to accept unionization.

Brothers On The Line
80 min. (2012) By Sasha Reuther
The Reuther brothers Walter, Roy and Victor played an important role in the founding of the United Auto Workers UAW. The basis of this mass organization were sit-downs and factory occupations throughout the mid-west and rank and file worker committees that played a democratic role in challenging the power of the major auto companies. This mass militant mobilization brought millions of workers into unions throughout the United States.
The film looks at the history of the union and these brothers through the witchhunts and the Vietnam War, and its effect on the UAW.
Following the film, a panel discussion with Sasha Reuther, the grandson of Victor Reuther, and Detroit workers will take questions and discuss the film.
http://brothersontheline.tumblr.com/
See also:
http://www.laborfest.net/2012/2012Films.htm#f6
http://www.laborfest.net/2012/2012schedule.htm