
Fighting for Fair Wages
Explore the powerful history of the Black Labor Movement in the U.S., where Black American workers fought for fair wages, equal rights, and better working conditions.
Fighting for Fair Wages
During the 1930s and 1940s, the Black labor movement on the West Coast gained momentum as Black workers organized against systemic racism, workplace exploitation, and exclusion from unions. Pullman porters, longshoremen, and farm workers were among the key groups seeking unionization. Each faced unique challenges yet shared the common goal of improving wages, working conditions, and fighting racial discrimination. Their collective efforts not only transformed labor relations but also played a vital role in advancing civil rights.
Pullman Porters and the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters
Pullman porters were among the earliest groups of Black workers to organize on the West Coast. The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP), led by A. Philip Randolph, became the first Black labor union to gain recognition from a major corporation, the Pullman Company. Founded in 1925, the BSCP achieved a landmark victory in 1937, securing a collective bargaining agreement that raised wages and improved working conditions.
On the West Coast, the BSCP not only empowered Black workers but also fostered community leadership. Pullman porters served as conduits for Black newspapers like the California Eagle and the Los Angeles Sentinel, ensuring that Black communities stayed informed about labor struggles and civil rights initiatives. Their activism extended beyond the workplace, helping to lay the groundwork for the broader civil rights movement.


Longshoremen and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union
The waterfronts of West Coast cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles became key battlegrounds for labor rights during the 1930s. Black longshoremen, initially excluded from unions, found solidarity within the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), led by Harry Bridges. The ILWU, known for its progressive stance on racial inclusion, welcomed Black workers into its ranks, making it a model for interracial labor solidarity.
Black longshoremen played a crucial role in the 1934 West Coast Waterfront Strike, which resulted in significant gains, including better wages, shorter hours, and the establishment of union-controlled hiring halls. These hiring halls disrupted discriminatory hiring practices and provided Black workers with greater access to stable jobs. Leaders like C.L. Dellums, a key figure in both the ILWU and the BSCP, emphasized the intersection of racial and labor justice, advocating for policies that benefited all workers.
Farm Workers and the Fight for Equity
In California’s agricultural heartlands, Black farm workers joined forces with other marginalized groups, including Mexican and Filipino laborers, to demand better wages and working conditions. Though often overshadowed by larger movements like the United Farm Workers of the 1960s, Black farm workers in the 1930s and 1940s played a critical role in early unionization efforts.
Groups like the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) sought to address the exploitative conditions that Black farm workers faced, from low pay to unsafe working environments. Leaders such as Reverend George Lee and Paul Robeson used their platforms to draw attention to the plight of agricultural laborers, connecting their struggles to broader movements for racial and economic justice.

March On Washington For Jobs And Freedom
Rev. Martin Luther King and other civil rights leaders gather before a rally at the Lincoln Memorial August 28, 1963 in Washington. Standing from left: National Urban League executive director Whitney Young (1921 – 1971), director of the National Catholic Conference for Interracial Justice Matthew Ahmann, Rabbi Joachim Prinz (1902 – 1988), unknown, Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) leader John Lewis, Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) leader Floyd McKissick (1922 – 1991), Protestant minister Eugene Carson Blake (1906 – 1985) and labor union leader Walter Reuther (1907 – 1970). Seated, left to right: Chairman of the Administrative Committee for the march, Cleveland Robinson (1914 – 1995), labor union leader A Philip Randolph (1889 – 1979) and Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 – 1968). (photo by National Archive/Newsmakers)
The Role of Black Media
Black newspapers on the West Coast played an indispensable role in the labor movement, amplifying worker demands and exposing injustices. The California Eagle, under the leadership of Charlotta Bass, and the Los Angeles Sentinel provided a platform for union leaders to share their victories and galvanize community support. These publications highlighted the interconnectedness of labor and civil rights, framing unionization as a means to achieve racial equality.
By midcentury, the collective efforts of Pullman porters, longshoremen, and farm workers had set a precedent for interracial cooperation and social justice. Their victories not only improved working conditions but also reshaped the role of labor unions in the fight for civil rights, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire.