Ryan Brown
@redpgh.com
Dad | DSA | CWA 13000
Pittsburgh left and labor history at redpgh.com
Also: British history, wargaming, hobbies galore
Pittsburgh left and labor history at redpgh.com
Also: British history, wargaming, hobbies galore
Some good picket signs (not to mention some great '40s styles) among Westinghouse UE strikers in Beaver, Pa., 1948.
From Pitt's United Electrical Workers archive, which is worth perusing: digital.library.pitt.edu/collection/u...
From Pitt's United Electrical Workers archive, which is worth perusing: digital.library.pitt.edu/collection/u...
January 19, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Some good picket signs (not to mention some great '40s styles) among Westinghouse UE strikers in Beaver, Pa., 1948.
From Pitt's United Electrical Workers archive, which is worth perusing: digital.library.pitt.edu/collection/u...
From Pitt's United Electrical Workers archive, which is worth perusing: digital.library.pitt.edu/collection/u...
Further walkouts rattled the company after union leaders were fired, reportedly with the support of United Steelworkers officials (national unions maintained a no-strike pledge during World War II).
January 5, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Further walkouts rattled the company after union leaders were fired, reportedly with the support of United Steelworkers officials (national unions maintained a no-strike pledge during World War II).
On this day in 1944, thousands of Westmoreland County workers joined a wildcat strike wave that disrupted local war industries. Robertshaw Thermostat workers reportedly struck in protest against a foreman, with those in other locations joining in sympathy.
(Plant photo Kristina Serafini/TribLive)
(Plant photo Kristina Serafini/TribLive)
January 5, 2025 at 11:21 PM
On this day in 1944, thousands of Westmoreland County workers joined a wildcat strike wave that disrupted local war industries. Robertshaw Thermostat workers reportedly struck in protest against a foreman, with those in other locations joining in sympathy.
(Plant photo Kristina Serafini/TribLive)
(Plant photo Kristina Serafini/TribLive)
This god me curious so I checked, and now I'm honored that someone thought my lil' local history book was worth uploading to Libgen
January 5, 2025 at 2:30 AM
This god me curious so I checked, and now I'm honored that someone thought my lil' local history book was worth uploading to Libgen
This cute @demsocialists.bsky.social calendar that arrived in the mail today; as a left history nerd I appreciate any source of "this day in history" factoids to offer unsolicited
January 2, 2025 at 4:09 PM
This cute @demsocialists.bsky.social calendar that arrived in the mail today; as a left history nerd I appreciate any source of "this day in history" factoids to offer unsolicited
Ring in 1938 with a New Year's cabaret from the Communist-run Pittsburgh Workers School! 50 cents to see the show (and hear Agnes Pendergrast and Her Sweethearts of Rhythm).
December 31, 2024 at 5:22 PM
Ring in 1938 with a New Year's cabaret from the Communist-run Pittsburgh Workers School! 50 cents to see the show (and hear Agnes Pendergrast and Her Sweethearts of Rhythm).
The mantel with all family spiritual traditions represented: Christmas, Hanukkah, Festivus, Marx
December 25, 2024 at 6:50 PM
The mantel with all family spiritual traditions represented: Christmas, Hanukkah, Festivus, Marx
A news item this day in 1931: a meeting of the Squirrel Hill branch of Pittsburgh's Socialists. They met at the site of today's Murray Ave. Giant Eagle.
While this was long after the party's local heyday (eclipsed by Communists), the Socialists still held regular meetings all over the city.
While this was long after the party's local heyday (eclipsed by Communists), the Socialists still held regular meetings all over the city.
December 19, 2024 at 1:47 AM
A news item this day in 1931: a meeting of the Squirrel Hill branch of Pittsburgh's Socialists. They met at the site of today's Murray Ave. Giant Eagle.
While this was long after the party's local heyday (eclipsed by Communists), the Socialists still held regular meetings all over the city.
While this was long after the party's local heyday (eclipsed by Communists), the Socialists still held regular meetings all over the city.
My treasured original copy of "Punching Out," Glaberman's classic 1952 pamphlet (which you can read here: libcom.org/article/punc...)
December 13, 2024 at 5:06 PM
My treasured original copy of "Punching Out," Glaberman's classic 1952 pamphlet (which you can read here: libcom.org/article/punc...)
One of these days I need to research a more detailed history of Italian anarchism in Pittsburgh. Errico Malatesta supposedly caused a stir here when he refused to wear Italian colors at a banquet.
@mgouldhawke.bsky.social, have you come across any Malatesta writings that reference time spent here?
@mgouldhawke.bsky.social, have you come across any Malatesta writings that reference time spent here?
December 8, 2024 at 7:34 PM
One of these days I need to research a more detailed history of Italian anarchism in Pittsburgh. Errico Malatesta supposedly caused a stir here when he refused to wear Italian colors at a banquet.
@mgouldhawke.bsky.social, have you come across any Malatesta writings that reference time spent here?
@mgouldhawke.bsky.social, have you come across any Malatesta writings that reference time spent here?
In 1900, the local press identified the western end of the modern-day Strip District as "the center of the Italian 'reds' of Pittsburgh." Anarchist clubs and houses could be found along Penn Ave. (this article IDs the site of the modern Penn Liberty Plaza as a meeting house).
December 8, 2024 at 7:34 PM
In 1900, the local press identified the western end of the modern-day Strip District as "the center of the Italian 'reds' of Pittsburgh." Anarchist clubs and houses could be found along Penn Ave. (this article IDs the site of the modern Penn Liberty Plaza as a meeting house).
A pleasant 1885 gathering by German socialists on the North Side of Pittsburgh. "A number of outsiders were present who were disappointed, as they expected to hear bloodthirsty and dire threats."
December 3, 2024 at 7:59 PM
A pleasant 1885 gathering by German socialists on the North Side of Pittsburgh. "A number of outsiders were present who were disappointed, as they expected to hear bloodthirsty and dire threats."
Today in 1975: A Beechwood teacher walks the picket line in the first days of an eight-week teachers' strike. Public school teachers struck over pay, class sizes and job security, among other issues.
December 2, 2024 at 9:04 PM
Today in 1975: A Beechwood teacher walks the picket line in the first days of an eight-week teachers' strike. Public school teachers struck over pay, class sizes and job security, among other issues.
In 1913, thousands gathered at Kennywood to hear Arturo Giovannitti -- of "bread and roses" strike fame -- speak in English and Italian.
"The working class is no longer fighting to feed its stomach," he said. "It now has noble ambitions to struggle for and an ideal to reach."
"The working class is no longer fighting to feed its stomach," he said. "It now has noble ambitions to struggle for and an ideal to reach."
November 29, 2024 at 2:17 PM
In 1913, thousands gathered at Kennywood to hear Arturo Giovannitti -- of "bread and roses" strike fame -- speak in English and Italian.
"The working class is no longer fighting to feed its stomach," he said. "It now has noble ambitions to struggle for and an ideal to reach."
"The working class is no longer fighting to feed its stomach," he said. "It now has noble ambitions to struggle for and an ideal to reach."
Based on another 1930s clipping, this one from the Daily Worker, it appears the address of the short-lived Pen & Hammer bulletin was the Slovak National Home in Downtown. Lots of radical Slovak connections!
November 26, 2024 at 12:27 AM
Based on another 1930s clipping, this one from the Daily Worker, it appears the address of the short-lived Pen & Hammer bulletin was the Slovak National Home in Downtown. Lots of radical Slovak connections!
Some local Communist events 90 years ago this month: labor talks, a Russian Revolution anniversary party and a Thanksgiving dance at the downtown Slovak Hall -- "sponsored by the Workers Book Shop." (From the Pitt archives)
November 26, 2024 at 12:27 AM
Some local Communist events 90 years ago this month: labor talks, a Russian Revolution anniversary party and a Thanksgiving dance at the downtown Slovak Hall -- "sponsored by the Workers Book Shop." (From the Pitt archives)
Now reading. I'm on a feudalism kick; this month is all about escheat and scutage and banalités and similarly cool words
November 22, 2024 at 6:19 PM
Now reading. I'm on a feudalism kick; this month is all about escheat and scutage and banalités and similarly cool words
Hard to say without a visible date, but I don't think that's the US Daily Worker (or maybe isn't a real issue). Circa spring 1937 they don't use a hammer and sickle:
November 22, 2024 at 5:49 PM
Hard to say without a visible date, but I don't think that's the US Daily Worker (or maybe isn't a real issue). Circa spring 1937 they don't use a hammer and sickle:
When Ambridge workers struck for recognition with the SMWIU, the ensuing police crackdown left a bystander dead and many workers wounded or jailed.
Thousands returned to work. James Egan, a strike leader and Communist candidate for Pittsburgh mayor, was soon nabbed and jailed on a prior charge.
Thousands returned to work. James Egan, a strike leader and Communist candidate for Pittsburgh mayor, was soon nabbed and jailed on a prior charge.
November 20, 2024 at 11:20 PM
When Ambridge workers struck for recognition with the SMWIU, the ensuing police crackdown left a bystander dead and many workers wounded or jailed.
Thousands returned to work. James Egan, a strike leader and Communist candidate for Pittsburgh mayor, was soon nabbed and jailed on a prior charge.
Thousands returned to work. James Egan, a strike leader and Communist candidate for Pittsburgh mayor, was soon nabbed and jailed on a prior charge.
1891: The police break up "a tough joint" on Spring Garden Ave. in Pittsburgh.
Cops think "it is composed of anarchists, as the crowd which has been meeting there was a very tough-looking lot of citizens."
Cops think "it is composed of anarchists, as the crowd which has been meeting there was a very tough-looking lot of citizens."
November 19, 2024 at 12:39 AM
1891: The police break up "a tough joint" on Spring Garden Ave. in Pittsburgh.
Cops think "it is composed of anarchists, as the crowd which has been meeting there was a very tough-looking lot of citizens."
Cops think "it is composed of anarchists, as the crowd which has been meeting there was a very tough-looking lot of citizens."
My followers may think "there's no way Ryan can find a Pittsburgh angle on this week's niche Scandinavian Marxism posting."
They'd be wrong! Did you know that, circa 1916, Pittsburgh's Socialist Party had a Scandinavian Branch headquartered along Penn Ave.? "All Swedes invited!" (Danes unclear)
They'd be wrong! Did you know that, circa 1916, Pittsburgh's Socialist Party had a Scandinavian Branch headquartered along Penn Ave.? "All Swedes invited!" (Danes unclear)
November 17, 2024 at 2:02 PM
My followers may think "there's no way Ryan can find a Pittsburgh angle on this week's niche Scandinavian Marxism posting."
They'd be wrong! Did you know that, circa 1916, Pittsburgh's Socialist Party had a Scandinavian Branch headquartered along Penn Ave.? "All Swedes invited!" (Danes unclear)
They'd be wrong! Did you know that, circa 1916, Pittsburgh's Socialist Party had a Scandinavian Branch headquartered along Penn Ave.? "All Swedes invited!" (Danes unclear)