No such thing as 'unskilled work': Barbara Ehrenreich's 'Nickel and Dimed' 25 years later

In her 2001 masterwork Nickel and Dimed, the late Barbara Ehrenreich went undercover to report on the daily realities working people in America face trying to get by on minimum-wage. After working as a housekeeper, a nursing aide, a home cleaner, a server, and more, Ehrenreich wrote that "The first thing I discovered is that no job, no matter how lowly, is truly 'unskilled.'" It is difficult to overstate the impact that Ehrenreich's book and body of work have had on US culture and working-class politics over the last 25 years, and the enduring relevance of her work today. In this special episode of Working People, we commemorate the anniversary of Nickel and Dimed and celebrate the life and legacy of Ehrenreich by speaking with a panel of guests who are carrying on that legacy today. Panelists include: Deirdre English, coauthor of three books with Barbara Ehrenreich, former editor in chief of Mother Jones, and a former director of the Magazine Center at the Graduate School of Journalism at the University of California at Berkeley; Alissa Quart, editorial director of the Economic Hardship Reporting Project and author of seven books, most recently Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream; and Ann Larson, author of Cleanup on Aisle Five: Essential Work, Poverty Wages, and the View from Behind the Supermarket Register and a fellow with the Economic Hardship Reporting Project. Additional links/info: Barbara Ehrenreich, Metropolitan Books, Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America Alissa Quart, Deirdre English, Ai-jen Poo, Ann Larson, & Bill Fletcher, The Nation, "Saluting a Matriarch—25 Years After Nickel and Dimed" Economic Hardship Reporting Project website, Facebook page, and Instagram Featured Music: Jules Taylor, Working People Theme Song Credits: Audio Post-Production: Jules Taylor

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Trump's Economic Legacy: What Really Happened to Your Money?

Trump built his political comeback around a series of big economic promises: lower prices, cheaper gasoline, affordable housing, lower mortgage rates, more manufacturing jobs, a balanced federal budget, and an economy that would “grow like nobody’s ever grown before.” But how much of that has actually happened? In this segment, we put the promises up against the economic reality. We also examine the increasingly K-shaped economy, Trump’s aggressive push for deregulation, and issues at the NLRB, where a new Republican majority could reverse numerous pro-worker precedents. The larger question is simple: When politicians say the economy is booming, who exactly is that economy working for? Subscribe to the Labor Force Podcast for more conversations about workers, unions, economic policy, corporate power and the struggle for a more democratic economy. #LaborForcePodcast #Trump #Economy #WorkingClass #Labor #Unions #NLRB #Inflation #HousingCrisis #Deregulation #EconomicInequality #WorkingClassPolitics

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Episode 141: The Price of Speaking Up / Orlando Gonzalez

For decades, Orlando Gonzalez has dedicated his career to representing letter carriers not only as a steward, Formal A representative, route adjustment specialist, and RegionalAdministrative Assistant for Region 15, but as a mentor committed to developing the next generation of union leaders. In this episode of Hot House with Richie Ray, Orlandoshares the personal journey that shaped his commitment to labor activism, the challenges facing today's Postal Service, and why he believes the future of the NALC depends on stronger leadership, better training, and reconnecting with the rank-and-file. Orlando reflects on the evolution of the Postal Service from the early 1990s to today, discussing the growing pressures placed on letter carriers, the impact of burnout and declining morale, and the importance of ensuring grievances are handled effectively and timely. He explains why stewardeducation and mentorship are essential to protecting the National Agreement and preparing the union for the future. The conversation also explores Orlando's decision to support the Concerned Letter Carriers (CLC)movement and seek election as the next Region 15 National Business Agent. He discusses the principles that motivated his decision, the challenges that followed, and his perspective onleadership, accountability, transparency, and the importance of listening to the membership. A significant portion of the interview focuses on Orlando's passion for safety and the innovative GAS Club training program he developed during his time as Region 15 RAA. He explains how the program was designed to create meaningful safety discussions, encourage active participation, and build a workplace culture where protecting carriers is a shared responsibility rather than simply a compliance requirement. The episode concludes with an energetic "Hot House Heat Check" rapid-fire segment, where Orlando responds to thought-provoking words and phrases with one-word or brief answers, giving viewers an unfiltered look at his philosophy, leadership style, and vision for the future of Region 15. This is an in-depth conversation about service, sacrifice, leadership, accountability, and what Orlando Gonzalez believes it will take to strengthen the union and better serve the members of Region 15.

podcasters.spotify.com

Show: Labor Express for 8-16-2026 - Plans for Labor Day 2026 in Chicago and Chicago’s Sustainable Community Schools program expands

This is the full 8-16-2026 episode of the Labor Express Radio program. Plans for Labor Day 2026 in Chicago and around the country. And, Chicago’s Sustainable Community Schools program expands. Labor Express Radio is Chicago's oldest labor news and current affairs radio program. News for working people, by working people. Labor Express Radio airs every Sunday at 8:00 PM on WLPN in Chicago, 105.5 FM. For more information, see our Facebook page... laborexpress.org and our homepage on Archive.org at: http://www.archive.org/details/LaborExpressRadio Labor Express is a member of the Labor Radio / Podcast Network, Working People's Voices – Broadcasting Worldwide 24 Hours A Day. laborradionetwork.org #laborradionetwork #LaborRadioPod #1u #UnionStrong

podcasters.spotify.com

From the Coast Guard to IBEW Local 3: Jonathan’s Union Apprenticeship Journey - ULA Network

From serving our country to building a new career with IBEW Local 3, Jonathan’s journey is a powerful example of what is possible for veterans entering the union trades. After serving three and a half years in the U.S. Coast Guard, Jonathan connected with Local 3 through Helmets to Hardhats and is now a first-year electrical apprentice working with Heron Electric. Through the union, he has found outstanding training, mentorship, meaningful career opportunities, and the sense of brotherhood he valued during his military service. Jonathan’s message to fellow veterans is simple: take the first step and explore the opportunities available through Helmets to Hardhats and the unionized skilled trades. “You’re getting paid to train, building a career, and becoming part of a brotherhood. It’s one of the best things I could have done for myself.” Thank you, Jonathan, for sharing your story and inspiring other veterans to turn their service, discipline, and experience into a rewarding lifelong career. Support Veterans. Build Careers. Strengthen Our Unions.

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August 20 - The White Lion Docks in Jamestown

On this day in Labor History the year was 1619. That was the day that the first ship bearing enslaved people arrived in North America. It was an English warship called the White Lion, that came to Jamestown in the colony of Virginia. The ship was a privateer and had captured “twenty and odd” enslaved people from a Portuguese ship in a raid. Virginian planters were interested in forced labor to work the tobacco fields in the colony. The laws surrounding slavery in Virginia evolved over time. Throughout the 1600s statutes replacing indentured servants to race-based slavery for life were written into the law books. In 1654 John Casor became the first person enslaved under rule of law in North America. By 1662 a law was passed that children would be considered enslaved or free based on the status of their mother in Virginia. This meant that slavery could pass down from generation to generation. This and similar laws ensured slavery would grow. Historians estimate that 388,000 enslaved people came to what became the United States from Africa. Due to laws passing down slavery to children, by the Civil War there were nearly 4 million enslaved people in the South. By the early 1800s enslave people made up about one-third of the Southern population. Initially enslaved labor worked predominantly to produce crops like tobacco, indigo and also rice. Some West Africans had developed valuable skills in rice cultivation that white land owners exploited through slavery. With the invention of the cotton gin in 1793, cotton became increasingly important to the southern economy. The South’s dependence on slave labor became more entrenched, and spread westward with the growing United States until the Civil War ended the brutality of slavery.

laborhistoryin2.podbean.com

20 August 1976: Grunwick strike begins

On this day, 20 August 1976, the Grunwick strike began in London when Devshi Bhudia was dismissed from a photo processing plant for working too slowly and three colleagues walked out in his support. Three days later they began picketing in what became an iconic dispute and one of the key struggles of the working class, particularly the Asian and female working class in the UK in the late 20th century. One worker who became a leader of the strike, Jayaben Desai, walked out as well and spoke to the initial group of workers who had downed tools and were in the car park, planning on vandalising the plant, and the boss's car. She told them: "Don’t do that. You will damage yourself. They will call the police and it’s all insured. Nothing will happen to them but you will damage yourself." When they asked what they could do instead, Desai replied: "We can organise ourselves and we can make a union." The workers remained out for nearly two years, and while they were unsuccessful in achieving their stated aims, they helped transform the UK workers' movement by pushing white union workers to recognise Asian, Black and migrant workers as their fellow workers rather than as rivals for jobs. Learn the history of the strike in our podcast episodes 67-68: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/grunwick-strike-1976/ Our work is only possible because of support from you, our listeners on patreon. If you appreciate our work, please join us and access exclusive content and benefits at patreon.com/workingclasshistory. See all of our anniversaries each day, alongside sources and maps on the On This Day section of our Stories app: stories.workingclasshistory.com/date/todayBrowse all Stories by Date here on the Date index: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/dateCheck out our Map of historical Stories: https://map.workingclasshistory.comCheck out books, posters, clothing and more in our online store, here: https://shop.workingclasshistory.comIf you enjoy this podcast, make sure to check out our flagship longform podcast, Working Class History

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They’re Changing the Strike Language

On today’s Labor Radio Podcast Daily: GarageMind talks with workers walking the picket line for a fair contract. In labor history, the IWW publishes its first “Little Red Song Book.” Quote of the day: “Dump The Bosses Off Your Back,” performed by Anne Feeney. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

unioncityradio.podbean.com

Miramichi Lumber Strike

The Miramichi Lumber Strike began 20 August 1937 when 1500 millworkers and longshoremen along the Miramichi River in northern New Brunswick struck 14 lumber fir...

thecanadianencyclopedia.ca

Zanzibar workers general strike in Zanzibar City, Tanzania, 1948 | Global Nonviolent Action Database

nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu

Union ties National Steel Car strike to unsafe incentive pay program

United Steelworkers Local 7135 links its piecework incentive system to three fatalities and mounting Ministry of Labour scrutiny

thesafetymag.com

radionigeria.gov.ng

NTUC steps up job-matching and career support for fresh graduates

More than 800 on-site interviews were conducted at three youth-focused career events in July, as NTUC expands support before graduation and prepares young people for an AI-enabled workforce.

ntuc.org.sg

Cyprus pension reform avoids cuts but unions raise concerns

Cyprus's planned pension reform avoids cuts and reduces a 12% penalty, but unions and employers have raised concerns about several of its provisions.

en.philenews.com

Our power grows when workers organize with AFSCME

Their jobs and locations varied, but all the newly organized workers who spoke during the AFSCME 47th International Convention described feeling empowered, excited and in the driver’s seat about their...

convention.afscme.org

Bravery, sacrifice — AFSCME members share their strike stories

A strike is the last resort, when workers feel they have no other way to make their employers listen. It’s never a decision made lightly. For the AFSCME members who spoke Tuesday at the AFSCME 47th…

convention.afscme.org

A unified foundation for a member-powered future: 2026 Leadership Conference comes to a close - SMART Union

The 2026 SMART Leadership Conference came to a close in the same way it began: with a focus on empowering members for the long haul.

smart-union.org