The Rich History of General Strikes in America w/ Organizer and Writer Fred Glass (G&R 462)

On January 23, 2026, we saw the first general strike in 80 years in Minnesota after the murder of Renee Good by ICE (one day before their murder of Veteran’s Administration ICU nurse and union member Alex Pretti). Organizing, direct action and strikes are increasing in recent years and have the potential to lead to a larger general strike. They also have a long rich history in the US. In our latest, Scott talks with writer, historian and labor organizer Fred Glass about the rich history of general strikes in America and their possibilities for the future. We also discussed Fred’s short film on May Day and the importance of May Day and the Haymarket Affair in modern labor history

💥On Tuesday February 11th at 530pm at the Oakland community space at 1955 Broadway in downtown Oakland, Fred will be part of a panel discussing general strikes, May Day, labor organizing and more. Green and Read podcast will be live streaming the panel. Details in link below.💥Bio//

Fred Glass is an educator, historian and organizer. He taught labor history at City College in San Francisco for 35 years and was the communications director for the California Federation of Teachers. He’s the author of “From Mission to Microchip: A History of the California Labor Movement” and edits California Red, the bimonthly newsletter of California Democratic Socialists of America.

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🎸 Outro- "Green and Red Blues" by Moody

🔗 Links

🔖 Jacobin: The Citywide General Strike Has a Rich History in America (https://bit.ly/45WbAnM)

🌐 February 10th on Oakland- May Day in the Time of Trump: Film and Panel Discussion (https://bit.ly/3O1HwRx)

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👨‍🏫 Produced by Bob (@bobbuzzanco) and Scott (@sparki1969)

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