Background

The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) is an industrial, intersectional union that sought to unite all workers under a single big umbrella. Founded in Chicago in 1905, the center of the union’s influence moved to the Seattle-area by the 1910s when it reached its peak, before declining in the 1920s following government crackdowns from 1916-1919. The IWW was known for their anti-capitalist, pro-worker imagery and catchy songs. This exhibit showcases a variety of material held in UW Libraries Special Collections, Labor Archives of Washington. To celebrate May Day (May 1), International Workers’ Day, you will see political covers and cartoons found within their publication, One Big Union Monthly, the IWW’s renowned songbook, The Little Red Songbook, and a number of ephemeral materials that circulated in the early twentieth century on display. 

 

These images showcased the power and potential of unequivocal worker solidarity to remedy the economic and social inequities created by industrial capitalism. Unlike other craft unions, the IWW professed that they did not discriminate on the basis of gender, race and profession. That being said, they often viewed racial inequities as purely economic, mirroring the problematic views of many progressives of the time. 

 

The union’s constitution differentiated itself by pushing back on the wage system entirely, rather than only advocating for better conditions and fair pay. Although the IWW failed to address the social and cultural roots of racial inequity, their hardline stance protecting workers from all backgrounds was revolutionary among labor organizations of the period. The selection of covers, photographs and illustrations highlights the ambitious, radical, and inclusive ideals of the organization. 

 

Make sure you have text covering how to find special collections, how to make an appointment, and reference to the Labor Archives of Washington LibGuide for further research. This doesn't need to be incorporated into your text here, but could be.

 

If you are interested in learning more you can see original material and much more in Special Collections located in the basement of Allen Library South. You can find it by taking the elevators to your left, or going to the Research Commons and walking down to the basement from the ground level.

 

Special Collections contains the Labor Archives of Washington, a curatorial area and community archives founded as a collaboration between the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies, University of Washington Libraries, and Pacific Northwest labor movement. For more information about other labor related collections, please see the Labor Archives of Washington LibGuide (https://www.lib.washington.edu/specialcollections/laws/) or visit laborarchives.org.