THE BAY AREA LABOR HISTORY WORKSHOP  

[The copra crane at San Francisco ’s Pier 84 on Islais Creek is one of the few surviving reminders of San Francisco ’s rich waterfront history.  The all-volunteer Friends of Islais Creek is working to create public access to, and green space along, this abandoned waterway, and envisions the copra crane as a national labor landmark, to be restored and maintained as a preservation project by retirees from the various local maritime-related unions.]

The Bay Area Labor History Workshop exists to spread the word about new perspectives in labor and working class history by bringing together trade unionists, social justice activists, teachers, students, and scholars.  Founded in 1980, the Workshop continues its program of Sunday afternoon meetings, which feature presentations of work in progress, followed by discussions in a critical, friendly environment at members' homes.  In the summer of 2003 Bill Issel volunteered to coordinate the Workshop’s activities after Don Watson and Jean Pauline announced their intention to move on after decades of service. 

Workshop members involve themselves in several important community projects, including the Copra Crane History Project at Pier 84, Islais Creek; labor history walking tours for various history conventions; the bay water tours sponsored by LaborFest; the Southwest Labor Studies Association; the Storyline Committee advising the planners of the San Francisco Museum of History at the Old Mint.  Several members serve on the Advisory Board of the Northern California Labor Archives and Research Center.  The coordinator welcomes inquiries from prospective new members.  Contact Bill Issel at bi@sfsu.edu. 

The 2007/2008 Program Schedule

Minutes of the 2007/08 Workshop Presentations

Minutes of the 2006/07 Workshop Presentations

Obituaries and an Appreciation: David Selvin, Sam Kagel 

Labor Links

Bay Area Labor History Workshop History

    Capitalism was never designed for workers.  Whether in medieval trading or in its 18th Century industrial origins, it meant worker suppression.  By its corruptive nature capitalism breeds revolt.…  You can't bring the barbarians to book by the bargaining table alone.  You will bring them to book only with a morally responsible government in alliance with a militant labor movement….  Capitalism has always been anti-labor in its soul, and without unions there would be the total degradation of working people. 

John F. Henning, Executive Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus, California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO.