Upcoming Events
- Prof. John Hammerback, "The Rhetorical Career of César Chávez"
Thurs. Oct. 30th, 12:30-1:30pm, Gowen Hall 1A
- Film: Present In All That We Do,
Thurs. Nov. 6th, 7:00pm-9:00pm, Ethnic Cultural Theatre
- Van Jones, founder of Ella Baker Center for Human Rights and Color of Change, will discuss his new book, The Green Collar Economy
Wed. Nov. 12th, 7:00pm, University Bookstore
- Annual Awards Celebration
Thurs. Nov. 20th, 5:00-8:00pm, Walker Ames Room, Kane Hall
Mission of the Center for Labor Studies
The Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies supports a network of scholars in cutting-edge research, education, and outreach about work, workers and their organizations.
The Center engages students in labor studies through courses and field work. We promote connections between students, faculty, and labor communities locally and around the world, and inform policy makers about issues confronting workers.
Message from the Chair
It is a great honor to be named the Harry Bridges Endowed Chair in Labor Studies. This is my 25th year as a professional historian, 25 years of teaching, researching, and writing about labor history, western history, civil rights and immigration history. The story of Harry Bridges has been part of all of those endeavors. The Australian immigrant, who settled in California as a young man and helped create and lead the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, left a legacy that today extends far beyond that powerful union. »READ MORE
For more about Professor James Gregrory, the current Chair, click here.
Contact the Center at
Harry BridgesCenter for Labor Studies
University of Washington
UW Box 353530
Seattle, WA 98195-3530
Phone: 206-543-7946
Fax: 206-543-9451
Email: pcls@u.washington.edu
Office: Smith Hall, Room 101
Graduate Students - Call for Proposals
Teach a Course in Labor Studies
The Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies is currently accepting proposals from graduate students in Geography, History, Political Science and Sociology to teach a course in Labor Studies. The course will serve as follow-up to POL S 249 Introduction to Labor Studies. It must be a 300 or 400-level course and must contain a serious Labor Studies component.
Proposals must include the following:
- A syllabus, outlining in detail basic course content and readings.
- A 1-2 page statement explaining your qualifications to teach the course, how the course relates to your own studies, and a description of the target audience for your course.
- A proposed course number taken from the current catalog. Check with your department to determine which numbers are currently available.
- A letter of endorsement from your chair in support of your course.
Proposals will be evaluated by the Standing Committee of the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies.
In return for teaching the course, tuition and an RA’s salary for one quarter will be provided. The Bridges Center will also provide support in promotion of the course to potential students.
To submit proposals or to inquire for further information, please contact
Andrew Hedden, Program Coordinator
Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies
(206) 543-7946, pcls@u.washington.edu
Harry The Horse Hangs His Hook
The Sky Gang. From left to right: Phil Lelli, Harry the Horse Hilliard, Shaun Maloney, and John Mahoney.
Harry "The Horse" Hilliard, retired from ILWU Local 23, and a long-time supporter of the Bridges Center and Visiting Committee member, passed away on July 2, 2008 at the age of 88.
Just weeks before Harry's passing, he appeared in a front page article in the Tacoma News Tribune about the Tacoma waterfront. It can be read on-line here.
An obituary written by his friend and collaborator, historian Ronald Magden, was published in the News Tribune. In honor of Harry, we reproduce it here.
On July 2, 2008, the legendary longshore worker Harry Hilliard, 88, died peacefully in his sleep. Harry the Horse was the last of the sea-going longshoremen. He now joins the "Sky Gang" with Phil Lelli, Shaun Maloney, and John Kresevich.
Harry was born in Portland, OR, orphaned at 5 years of age, and spent several years in a childrens' home. He ran away, eating what he could find in garbage cans and sleeping in hobo camps. In school for awhile a kindly teacher brought Harry food. His Aunt Lillian Turner, one of the richest women in San Francisco, rescued Harry from poverty. Aunt Lillian went broke in the Great Depression so Harry went to sea at 15, working as an able-bodied seaman on freighters. During World War II his ship was bombed in London, England, but luckily Harry was in a nearby pub. The Germans tried again in Malta, but this time Harry was visiting a sick friend in the hospital. Harry fell in love with Helen Racle and quit the sea when their daughter Linda was born.
He is survived by Linda (Michael) Boespflug and Shirley (Ron) Torkelson. Grandsons include Harry Bender and Bryan Bender and great-grandsons Andrew Bender and Dylan Bender. There is a large extended family and hundreds of friends who will miss him dearly, especially Ron Magden who worked with Harry on keeping the history of Local 23 alive. »READ MORE
Reverend James Lawson events now on-line
During Black History Month 2008, February 25-27, Reverend James Lawson visited Tacoma, WA to engage in scholarly work and dialogue with students, faculty and the religious and labor community.
Two of his talks are now available on-line in streaming video.
»Where Do We Go From Here? Forty Years Since Martin Luther King, Jr.