“The Wobblies”: Iconic Film on the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) Is Rereleased for May Day

The landmark 1979 labor documentary, “The Wobblies,” has been restored and rereleased for May Day, International Workers’ Day. The film details the history of the Industrial Workers of the World - a radical union whose members are also known as Wobblies - and their inclusive fight to organize “unskilled” workers, secure fair wages and enshrine the eight-hour workday in the early 20th century before they were targeted and repressed by the FBI during World War I. It features interviews with former Wobblies still alive in the 1970s. Deborah Shaffer, who co-directed the film with Stewart Bird, says the IWW “was founded in 1905 out of necessity” because no existing unions represented so-called unskilled labor. “The workers had no representation at all, and they were being expected to work seven days a week, 12-hour days, no breaks, no meals, underpaid, overworked,” she says. “Conditions were terrible and intolerable.” The high-definition rerelease of “The Wobblies” comes after the Library of Congress added it to the National Film Registry in 2021.
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[@williamfrazier3572]

I joined the IWW back in 1966 while attending their historic birthday party . I was working at the SDS nationanal

[@brendaclark7106]

I'm willing to bet you have many many cool stories to tell. I could listen all day

[@williamfrazier3572]

@@brendaclark7106 Thank you.

[@philreichel1693]

There's an old rumor that the SDS learned much of their direct actions stuff from the Wobs.. True?

[@starshine8892]

So relevant to the current state of labor. Anxious to see the entire documentary. Many thanks to the folks participating in it's existence.

[@StrohmaniasFlyingCircus]

"Per capita, there were more Socialists in America than in Russia, and more Wobblies than Bolsheviks. Yet if the masters of capital were frequently perturbed by revolutionary socialism, they could also reckon it constituted no mortal threat. Like everything else, it was dominated by men who could be reasoned with, bought off or eliminated."

[@alohatigers1199]

I don’t understand this “per capita” It’s like “america has the highest obesity population. But per capita, the island of souso has a population of 19k and 83% of them are obesity therefore they are #1 in obesity” I can’t.

[@haleybrown2836]

I had to repeat myself, isn't it absolutely miraculous how billions of dollars can be created out of nothing to pay for military hardware for Ukraine BUT we can't afford universal healthcare, free secondary education, or/and any other social program which would help the average 99%er.

[@whygohome172]

And exactly WHAT IS critical race theory?

[@ti-lo5hy]

@@whygohome172 what? No ones even taking about that here.

[@ti-lo5hy]

It's not a miracle haha. The machine is working just fine.

[@Spiritfba]

And no mention of inflation to be found, when speaking of money for war.

[@GladysAlicea]

I was thinking the same, and how shameless the US is, as it claims to be a democracy but does so much against those principles and its own people. To remind we, the people that we've no control, even with our votes, of the misuse of power, our government places this great film in the Library of Congress, in our faces. Nothing's changed, as the director said. If anything, America's become worse. I feel deep sorrow for the people of Ukraine and all others who are suffering everywhere, but how much is enough when Americans are suffering too? We give money to countries like Jordan, whose ruler's a wealthy monarchy. Last weeks hearing of the Foreign Relations Committee agenda is a. must watch. The State Department priorities and budget were presented and discussed with Blinken. Most of it is truly appalling. Defense is the only constant bipartisan issue in Congress. FYI, until February 24th, Ukraine was one of the most corrupt countries on earth, and its history, especially since 2000, shows Ukraine isn't a democracy and helped create the war, perhaps moreso than Russia. There will be no change until we have at least two more legitimate, truly democratic parties in America and congressional terms and benefits are changed. Until then, our government and those who profit from it, will ensure the country remains what it really is, an autocratic nation that shovels out democracy and bread crumbs, but only when it's convenient.

[@marykayryan7891]

I was a member of the IWW and I am still alive. Not everybody who was a member joined in the early 19th century. I joined in the 1970's.

[@d.virgallito3490]

Unions gave our parents a middle class existence!

[@AQ-sy9nu]

Proud member of the IWW. You can still join today, and you should!

[@chuletaization]

Those who think unions are a problem don't understand that life for workers was shit before unions. Support ALU!

[@shodopoet]

Workers of the World Unite! ✊🏼

[@h8thaway]

I love this documentary. Having grown up in SW Washington state where my family has lived since the mid to late 1800s, I particularly liked the part about the great lumber strikes in the area of the 1910s and the governments efforts to derail the IWW with its Spruce Division of military lumberjacks. I’m thrilled to see this great film being brought back to the public’s attention.

[@mrbushlied7742]

"Workers of all lands unite! The only thing you have to lose is your chains!" What the genius Karl Marx wrote in the Communist Manifesto in 1848 is still true in 2022!

[@DCastro9mm]

IWW is back to the american spirit.... Join the Union you too!!! Let's revive the labor movement....

[@gfortune1491]

Bless you, Amy Goodman and the staff at Democracy Now! I had heard about this movie many years ago and wondered what happened to it. I come from a union family with both parents having been union members. And, I was a union steward for my local union years ago. It's important to remember and teach American labor history. We need to reimagine labor rights for a new generation in the information and high-tech age. Peace! ✌🏽

[@scienceium5233]

Glory to workers of the world

[@biometronome7010]

Americans learning about the history of socialism in their own country is the most important educational necessity right now, in my opinion.

[@dreamlife2351]

Banding together for the sake of safety and fairness is not socialism. It’s being United.

[@RobinHerzig]

Americans learning the unvarnished, non-propagandized history of the United States is the most important educational necessity right now, as it always should've been See Howard Zinn

[@biometronome7010]

@@RobinHerzig Absolutely! That book is just amazing. I also recommend "A True History of the United States" by Daniel Sjursen. Some of his views might be a little too cynical and he sounds a kinda post-modernish sometimes, but overall it's great and it has some details that I haven't read anywhere else.

[@biometronome7010]

@@dreamlife2351 Socialism is about specific political agendas. Policy of FDR's New Deals mostly came from socialists and communists of the Populist Movement. Thomas Frank's book "The People, NO" is a very informative and entertaining read, a good summary of that movement. The blatant racism by the media back in those days.. it's crazy.

[@eileenmc4746]

@@biometronome7010 try Robin Dunbar Ortiz book and Gangsters of Capitalism

[@RobinHerzig]

So damn inspiring ✊Solidarity forever Thank you Deborah Shaffer for getting this film restored + releasing it again Incredibly relevant + beautiful to watch

[@fuckbankers]

You don't often hear about working class history.

[@BigFatHeretic]

I'm 70 years old. I have a black friend who is 36 years old. He introduced me to SOCIALIST REVOLUTION IMT International Marxist Tendency. We live in El Paso, Texas. My black friend was a political science and history major at UTEP and he's a Navy veteran on disability. I have been a registered Democrat since I was old enough to vote. I am a secular humanist, a Socialist, and I became an atheist.

[@RobinHerzig]

Never too late 👏

[@eileenmc4746]

There is a anti imperialism summit free online continues today. Revolutionsry black something channel go see

[@ti-lo5hy]

It's not a hand out if you have to pry even a measley penny from their fist.

[@patnc7062]

These guys were regular workers? Their intelligence and interpretation of history will put most of us to shame.

[@wetrucken1689]

This is great they were trying to teach the youth something they are somebody it's good to see all these people coming together back then ❤ and we have to do it now again 😀 😉

[@thefelicits]

That was so interesting, you should do another longer interview with this filmmaker. I can't wait to see the movie!

[@eileenmc4746]

Made in 1979. Was restored

[@thefelicits]

@@eileenmc4746 yes but she said it will be released online so I'm hoping to watch it

[@eileenmc4746]

@@thefelicits maybe Lib of Congresd has site?

[@tadsklallamn8v]

I'm in the IWW so was my mom and her dad and his dad

[@dpdystro2227]

May Day! Go Wobblies!

[@ozzy2361]

It’s thanks to those brave men that we enjoy many of the labor laws we have today. The fight to unionize is greater than ever, the future of America and the environment is at stake. If companies have had it their way, our kids would be working in assembly lines. They continue to pollute the environment in the name of profits. If industry is worker-controlled, organizations will work for workers, not stakeholders.

[@barquerojuancarlos7253]

Oh, wow! It would be wonderful if May 1st was celebrated in the US, like everywhere else in the world .. (The Wobblies were founded in 1905, but May Day was founded in commemoration of the Chicago Haymarket strikers 1886)

[@angelamossucco2190]

Will watch this in full and use this in my history classes. Thank you DN! and Debra.

[@shodopoet]

“I haven’t read the newspapers for months, everyday somebody goes on trial for murder. America I feel sentimental about the Wobblies. America I used to be a communist when I was a kid I’m not sorry. I smoke marijuana every chance I get.” - Allen Ginsberg

[@blondiegreeneyes4802]

Educated people know that socialists and communists were essential to the New Deal. Without them, FDR would not have come around.

[@Mypremiumacct]

I wish i had seen this when i went to school. I cant wait to watch

[@rajo741]

Amy and the entire team at Democracy Now have long done the work that represents the best of journalism and what it means to be a decent and caring human being. Another impressive and education rich edition

[@Jackzay90]

Became a wobbly last month. Solidarity.

[@timmccarthy3034]

WHAT AN AMAZING FILM................So revealing, as to where our economy is at today....If the government had it's way, the unions would NEVER have been allowed ......and they would have all been made "illegal"......

[@paulgibby6932]

That's what is needed -- all workers together. Even the owners won't combine with each other to such an extent, since they at some level compete with each other in certain areas. 4:17 HayWOOD

[@esstee9595]

After work, when I worked in a unionised heavy industry plant, we'd go for a few wobblie pops.

[@brendaclark7106]

Can't wait to see it

[@akbarfarzin9857]

Even ALL those workers after retired still they are having Financial problems after 35 to40 years hard working!!!! That’s of justices 👩‍⚖️ in America!!!!to days!!!

[@williamfrazier4797]

I attended a IWW birthday party back 1965 or 66 along with several other members of the SDS national office in Chicago. We signed union cards before leaving.

[@vivavasquez]

feel blessed to have met an organizer and hear his story, in the late 80's , he came to the place where Brian was run over by the train .

[@Urpopsbishass]

good report

[@michaelsmith8665]

"Big Bill Hayward" . . . . actually, his name was Haywood, not Hayward . . .

[@Student-ml4yl]

I'm a Chinese university student, and I'm fortunate enough to watch the documentary. This makes me know a lot more about the IWW and the red force in America. Wish IWW become better!

[@Leggiebeans]

I just recently joined the IWW ❤

[@mrmass71]

Wonderful. I cannot wait to see this documentary.

[@figurefiguras4104]

Watchin this at work :/ 😤😤✊✊

[@williamfrazier3572]

….office in Chicago back then and was impressed with thei commitment and staying power.

[@Steve32867]

I'm happy to be an IWW member. Any worker can be an IWW member, even if they're also in another union. I believe the IWW will also accept contributions.

[@patriknilsson2466]

✊️

[@estrategiasformativas6382]

Excelent! So relevant. Muito bom! Eu vou passar este vídeo para meus alunos, quando ficar disponível (port).

[@fuckbankers]

The good olde days.

[@davidschlessinger9945]

the wobblies are back

[@philreichel1693]

NOT WAS --- We are still here and growing.

[@Mypremiumacct]

I want more content like this on Tiktok tbh

[@glennfink-vp9tg]

well this old labor Union has a super weapon now

[@claypigeon657]

wow.. sabot as in the origin of sabotage is French? Just to keep the facts straight: sabot and throwing it in the work machinery is a Chinese history story not French. There are also book stores called Sabot as the store name in major cities that teach towards a country being of and for the people and how to learn from history on social revolution and mobilizing social unrest, civil discourse and building organized movements. I got to visit the one in Seattle around 2001.

[@RedMonk11]

The I.W.W. is back and you can join the one big union today fellow workers!

[@laurentozzi3644]

HAPPY MAY DAY!!! Solidarity Forever!!!

[@oleeb]

So where can I see the movie? The only mention of where to stream it is fleeting and doesn't say any particular platform.

[@bslygh]

Kino now has it for streaming. I've also seen pirate versions floating around.

[@d.rabbitwhite]

I love the wobblies.

[@eileenmc4746]

Where can we see it?? May Day today. LOC?

[@bpalpha]

Another great documentary is Plutocracy by metanoia films. Same subject matter.

[@annefcb1968]

Is the current IWW really different from the past? What do ya think about the WEF's great reset past PR? Blessings

[@d.rabbitwhite]

How can we re-view this?

[@shodopoet]

Where can it be watched on Sun?

[@eileenmc4746]

Yeah not clear

[@jonnyfyre2344]

The guy sounds like Rush Limbaugh, ironically.

[@GreenOrchid9]

Workers = wobbly, Windrush, westward, Wildcats, WW1, IWW,

[@clntmagee]

That she believes it's more relevant today than when she made it is wild.

[@bb-zr2tv]

Is it really wild? You say that like the power and influence of labor unions hadn’t already been significantly hallowed out by 1979

[@yourmother2739]

Direct action gets the goods. Do not trust politicians.

[@joanneadahk124]

The best 💚✊🕊🤗🤗🤗💛✊💯

[@McRyach]

✊🏻✊🏾✊

[@troyheald77]

AAA+++Bedford, Texas

[@eileenmc4746]

Go to La Soli Films its there in English and subtitles too heck with comrade DN reply

[@HughJass-jv2lt]

❤❤

[@whygohome172]

Ah....the good old days? Where workers were treated like..

[@ivandafoe5451]

...a useful commodity, but because they were needed, employers where forced by unions to pay and treat them a bit better. Once the business computer revolution and the future of automation etc. started it became clear that the need for workers would begin to decline. The union movement began to crumble through corruption, capitulation, corporate propaganda, corporate abandonment and the relative scarcity of jobs. We have seen for the last 40 years what happens when the power imbalance is in the employers' favor rather than unionized workers.

[@whygohome172]

@@ivandafoe5451 what about the NFL, MLB and GM?

[@whygohome172]

@@ivandafoe5451 but somebody has to be able to FIX that technology so a skilled worker should have the advantage BUT the corporations want the employee to tale his $140k education and TRAIN a Japanese worker how to do it, FOR FREE, right before the computer tech gets LET GO AND takes his high paying check with him. THAT'S WORKER EXPLOITATION and a UNION is your only hope.

[@MelancoliaI]

Warning: the IWW is coming

[@vessietaylor2938]

Godless times still alive, back then and today... the same people pushing the same crap

[@1canyonguy]

I hope all commenters here have gotten into the streets today or at least donated to their local Wobblies.

[@PumpedAaron]

Ya know, I kinda wish certain countries were marked pro or anti IWW. Then, whether you’re conservative or progressive, you’d have a true choice in your life and economy instead of being forced into conservative when you hate that.

[@Nuerorythm]

Isn't true that " all workers unite" means every race ,gender or religion?

[@airforcemax]

*¡the anti Union organizations and institutions are determined to help the extremely greedy human beings to thrive!* - 11:26 am Pacific Daylight Savings Time on Saturday, 30 April 2022

[@p.a.andrews7772]

After Military Officers were bribed by Nazis at the World Bank in 1975 . The Fascist coup of the USA, took over the government ! And has been in power ever since with the lack of UNIONISM involved . Especially after starting the trading with John and 78 . Use the science of Economics to guide the working class away from Fascism !!!

[@simborionidz783]

még

[@jeecee5539]

Boooo...

[@JohnnyPeacenic]

Stop trying to turn mayday into a union day. Mayday is a day of celebration for everyone not unions

[@whygohome172]

Read some history books! Actually , in antiquity, May day was celebrated with the Maypole and it was a day of sexual freedom.

[@rubengarcia8375]

Thanks God bless unions

[@eileenmc4746]

@@whygohome172 no group alone owns first of may. Wells College needs parallel celebration of working class not just girls in white dresses dancing around pole

[@ivandafoe5451]

Then it's a celebration "for everyone" who celebrates it, including unions...correct? Stop trying to run the world YOUR way in the name of peace.

[@whygohome172]

@@ivandafoe5451 it's INTERNATIONAL WORKERS DAY.....FOR ALL! Calm down.