Celebrating a Pioneering Black Unionist, Commemorating the Power of the Press, and Eulogizing a Labor Leader
Black History Month: Clara Day
Clara Day’s legacy is a testament to the profound impact one individual can make on labor rights and social justice.
Born in 1924 in Tuscaloosa, AL, Day was the middle child in a family of 11. In 1947, she moved to Chicago and took a position as an information clerk at Montgomery Ward, the Sears-rivaling catalog goods and department store corporation. There, she confronted systemic injustices, particularly the stark segregation between white and Black employees.
Day was determined to drive change. She partnered with coworker Robbie Jubiter in a successful teamster organizing campaign that lead to the unionization of more than 3,000 Montgomery Ward employees. By 1955, Day had joined Teamsters Local 743, where she tirelessly championed workers’ rights and rose to multiple leadership positions within the organization.
Her influence extended beyond labor organizing. She was instrumental in founding the Coalition of Labor Union Women in 1974 and the Teamsters National Black Caucus in 1976. The objective of these organizations was to amplify the voices of women and Black workers within the labor movement. Day’s advocacy brought critical issues such as pay equity and sexual harassment to the forefront of labor discussions.
Throughout her career, Day exemplified resilience. She broke down racial and gender barriers to secure leadership roles within the teamsters and the labor community more broadly. Her unwavering commitment to justice and equality should serve as enduring inspiration to us all.
As we celebrate Black History Month, Clara Day’s story reminds us of the power of dedication and the lasting impact of fighting for a more just and equitable society.
Labor Press: The Forgotten Power
Throughout American history, organized labor has relied on newspapers to spread its message, mobilize workers, and challenge corporate power. From the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, labor newspapers played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and advocating for workers’ rights. Publications like The Appeal to Reason, The Labor Clarion, and The Daily Worker provided a voice for labor at a time when mainstream media often ignored or outright vilified union movements.
These papers were more than just propaganda — they provided lifelines of information for working-class communities. They reported on strikes, exposed unsafe working conditions, and educated workers about their rights. In an era of widespread employer suppression and government hostility, labor newspapers were usually the only outlets willing to challenge the powerful business interests that dominated society.
This month, we celebrate the 125th anniversary of our own entry into that storied canon of labor newspapers, Organized Labor. I’m proud to say it’s the longest-running labor newspaper west of the Mississippi.
As workers rediscover the power of collective action, the need for independent labor journalism is more urgent than ever. While digital platforms have taken on some of this role, the legacy of the labor press reminds us that media can be a tool for justice—not just profit.
F.X. Crowley: A Life in Labor
In the summer of 2018, while leading the San Francisco Labor Council, F.X. Crowley stopped by my office to check in on me. He was nostalgic, and rightfully so. After all, I was occupying the same office where he had once watched his father lead.
F.X. understood the life of a union leader. He was the son of one, the brother of union tradesman John P. Crowley, a sprinkler fitter from Local 483 and a labor leader himself, having led IATSE Local 16 for decades. With all of F.X.’s experience, the advice he gave me that day he visited me was simple and straightforward — yet, the sincerity in his eyes made it resonate in a way that I carry with me to this day:
There’s plenty to drive you to drink in this line of work, so go easy on the bottle.
Keep moving, and stay on offense. Your opponents will have a harder time hitting you.
Put your family first.
F.X. was a unifying presence in our local movement and never a stranger to a picket line. He held many titles, ranging from city commissioner to union business manager, but I know the titles he loved most: father, husband, and grandfather.
To me, F.X. was a friend, a mentor, a fellow executive committee member, and above all, a good union man. I’ll miss him. The labor movement lost a class act with his passing.
Download the free e-book “Clara Day: A Teamster’s Life”