A simple definition of labor found in the Merriam-Webster dictionary is “the services performed by workers for wages”. However, in practice labor is anything but simple. Issues in labor relations and rights are inherently intersectional. Whether it be with civil rights as seen through the work of Minnesotan Nellie Stone Johnson, with issues surrounding migrant workers from the Southern U.S. and from Central America, with feminism and women’s rights as seen in stories such as those of Eva McDonald there is no questioning that the issues surrounding labor in Minnesota flux in tandem with many other issues of identity, class, and ideology.
September 2, 1985 - MPR’s Mark Heistad presents "The Strike is On!," an oral history of the early labor movement in Minnesota, with emphasis on the struggle to organize Iron Range workers, the Minneapolis truckers strike of 1934, and more. Documentary contains sound portrait and interviews with miners, truckers, historians, union leaders, community members, and activists.
August 30, 1986 - On this Weekend program, Bernie Brommer, of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, discusses the current status and prospects for organized labor in the state and country. Program begins with Brommer sharing his views on potential end of Hormel strike in Austin, Minnesota. Other topics include labor-management relationships, loss of U.S. industrial base, international trade, and organizing service industry. Brommer also answers listener questions.
January 2, 1988 - MPR's Mainstreet Radio team presents a documentary entitled "Against the Grain," which collects conversations with rural Minnesotans about how they are adapting to the forces of economic change.
June 3, 1989 - MPR’s Mark Heistad reports on Hmong farmers in the Twin Cities area. Farming is a natural transition for Hmong immigrants settling in Minnesota. It is also an important factor towards independance and bonding of family.
September 2, 1989 - Hyman Berman, history professor at University of Minnesota, discusses Minnesota's colorful labor history and the context that provides for current labor issues. Berman also answers listener questions.
December 27, 1989 - A Mainstreet Radio special from southwestern Minnesota town of Madison. MPR’s John Biewen presents a documentary entitled, "We're Not Dying," which highlights how the town survived the 1980’s farm crisis.
June 20, 1990 - A presentation of the MPR documentary "Season of Discontent: Migrants in the Red River Valley," which highlights Hispanic migrant farm workers who work the sugar beet fields. Following documentary, Stephen Cooper, Minnesota Human Rights Commissioner, discusses the issues migrant workers face in the state.
December 30, 1990 - Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger reports from the northern border town of International Falls, as Boise Cascade, the city's largest employer, finishes up a huge expansion of their papermill. The development, which utilized non-union workers, caused bitter feelings in the town. In 1989, 500 union supporters rioted in International Falls after Boise Cascade brought in the thousands of non-union workers to do it. The town was divided as local businesses flourished with increase of people, but union workers and their families were left feeling betrayed.
March 8, 1991 - MPR’s Mark Heistad interviews Nellie Stone Johnson, an African American civil rights activist and union organizer. A native Minnesotan, Johnson shares her memories and commentary on labor efforts, politics, and race.
May 24, 1991 - Guthrie Theater actress Sally Wingert reads the Meridel Le Sueur essay, "I Was Marching.”