Macomb, IL – A new book by a Macomb man explores America's first truly interracial labor union. Wobblies on the Waterfront: Interracial Unionism in Progressive-Era Philadelphia is by Peter Cole, who's an associate professor of History at WIU.
Wobblies were members of the Industrial Workers of the World. Cole says it was the second largest union in the nation during the 1910s and 20s, yet it was unusual because it was interracial at a time when America was deeply divided and highly segregated.
Cole says union leaders welcomed blacks because they felt a larger membership base would create a stronger union. In his book, Cole looks at how integration helped the union grow and at how racial tensions eventually led to its fall.
You can listen to an interview with author Peter Cole by clicking on the audio button.
Additional information:
*Cole says little research had been done about the interracial union. He accidentally came upon the topic while reading about a different issue.
*Cole says blacks and white union members did not just work together - they also socialized together. This was also unusual for the times.
*Cole will do a reading and book signing on Saturday September 15. It begins at 1:00pm at New Copperfield's Book Service on Macomb's courthouse square.