History of Unions - Inheritance

Run time: 15:01 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWDPHQX0S0w   Posted on YouTube: March 05, 2011 By YouTube Member: Boomer1949 Views on YouTube: 247   Posted on DU: March 13, 2011 By DU Member: Oilwellian Views on DU: 569

 
We made this film in 1964 for the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. We are making it available in its entirety to the public now because we are concerned about the current attacks on Unions and workers. We hope that the film will remind the public of why Unions are so vital to our country.

The Inheritance shows what life was really like for immigrants and working Americans from the turn of the century through the fight for civil rights in the 1960s. This stirring history of our country shows their struggle to put down roots, form labor unions, survive wars, and finally, create a new and better life for themselves and our nation.

Our film explores a landscape largely unknown to the present generation---the dim sweatshops, coal mines and textile mills filled with children; the anxious years of the depression and labor's bloody struggle for the right to organize; the battlefields of WW I and II; the seldom seen newsreel footage of the Memorial Day massacre at The Republic Steel strike in Chicago; the civil rights struggle--- as every generation fights again to preserve and extend its freedoms. This is the film's theme.

Judy Collins sings this theme song, as well as more great music sung by Judy, Pete Seeger,Tom Paxton and others.

We retain the copyright to the film, but give permission for the film to be used for educational purposes, in support of the right to collective bargaining.

Harold Mayer and Lynne Rhodes Mayer
Harold Mayer Productions
New Milford, CT

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7UsVDFcH00&feature=related
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnnoWoHWl4&feature=related
Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAwgX8NCeL8&feature=related

This documentary is a jewel, full of vintage video clips from long ago. Well worth your time.

A treasure from down deep in the good ol' memory hole.

for keeping us educated! :hi:

I think I'll use your comment to kick this back to the first page. I'm presently working on a video to address the union vs Walker/Koch takeover in WI. I hope to use pieces of "Inheritance" as a reminder to all that collective bargaining is a human right. Wish me luck stringing it together. :D