ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Happy Labor Day (week)! God bless the unions and power to workers around the world. To celebrate, we’re discussing The Simpsons Season 4 Episode 17, Last Exit to Springfield- Homer fights for a worker dental plan, Burns shuts off the city’s power, and Lenny listens to Classical Gas. It’s one of the few pro-union stories you could find on tv in the 90’s, and it still holds up!
My guest today is my sister, Danielle George. Not only has she been a huge help to the podcast, but she volunteered to be my first guest ever. That’s right, you’re looking at the 1st episode we ever recorded! We talk about the history of unions, how 90’s satire is just today’s reality, and how you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become Abe Simpson: teller of long stories that don’t go anywhere.
Follow this show @bartannicapodcast on Instagram, or email the show at bartannica@gmail.com.
Harrison Recommends: The books below, and the movies The Pajama Game, 9 to 5, and Norma Rae.
Also, check out The Working Families Party; they're doing good work. I’ve signed up to attend a virtual rally on Labor Day- this Monday, Sep 1. The event is actually taking place in my old college town, Emporia, KS, which is pretty awesome. If you want to join me, check out workingfamilies.org or this link: https://mobilize.us/s/ydS3d0
Research for this episode came from:
Fight Like Hell Kim Kelly- #1 rec. Lots of historical examples of activists who are not just straight white guys.
Our Numbers Be Unlimited Sam Wallman- Graphic novel about working for Amazon.
A History of America in 10 Strikes Erik Loomis- A good primer.
Why Unions Matter Michael Yates- Almost like a text book, in a good way.
