Episode 7

Unions w. Ruth Milkman of CUNY

Published on: 28th February, 2023

Imagine a world in which there were zero protections for you as a worker. If you got sick, you could be fired. If you grow too weak or old to work in the mines, you’re fired and there are other workers to take your place. While workers today frequently still find themselves in precarious positions, but many of the protections we can be thankful for today we can ascribe to unions. 

What is the history of labor unions in the U.S., how did they rise to power in the 20th century, and why have they waned since?

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About the Podcast

Riches and Power
The history of the things that shaped our world.
Listen in on interviews with world-renowned experts exploring the forces in history that shaped the world both then, and now. The topics we explore vary from whaling, to the Roman games, but they always touch on the intersection between riches and power, particularly in business and economic history.

About your host

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Alex Doubet

While Alex is an entrepreneur, his first love was history (AB in History, Harvard, 2010). His studies in history primarily focused on business history, particularly the Industrial Revolution. When not podcasting, Alex is the Managing Partner of a real estate investing fund.