ORDER LESSON PLANS & DVDs
WATCH THE TEN-PART SERIES ON VIMEO

Golden Lands, Working Hands, Part 1: Step by Step

Golden Lands, Working Hands, Part 2: “No Danger From Strikes Among Them”

Golden Lands, Working Hands, Part 3: Bombs and Ballot Boxes

Golden Lands, Working Hands, Part 4: Not So Jazzy

Golden Lands, Working Hands, Part 5: Labor on the March

Golden Lands, Working Hands Part 6: Battling for Democracy

Golden Lands, Working Hands Part 7: We Called It A Work Holiday

Golden Lands, Working Hands, Part 8: Building the House They Lived In

Golden Lands, Working Hands, Part 9: Against the Tide

Golden Lands, Working Hands, Part 10: Golden Lands, New Demands

Golden Lands, Working Hands introduces students, union members and the general public to California labor history in order to encourage understanding of the state’s diverse working populations and their efforts to find common ground in struggles for social justice. It is meant to be shown one part at a time in conjunction with reading materials and lesson plans suitable for high school students, and for union members in new member programs. The series runs three hours total. 

While several videos exist on selected topics within California labor history, there has been no overview—until now. Golden Lands, Working Hands explores stories selected from more than a century and a half of struggle. Central themes examined by the video are the choices made by working people in the creation of their own organizations, and the consequences of these choices for improvement of working people’s lives. Close attention is also paid to the ongoing recomposition of the California working class through immigration, beginning with the Gold Rush and continuing to the present day.

Much of this history has been unearthed through scholarship. But Golden Lands, Working Hands makes these ideas accessible to a broader audience: It conveys a picture of working people of diverse background and culture who have, at crucial moments, overcome social barriers to achieve lives of common dignity in California.

Golden Lands, Working Hands was directed and written by former Communications Director Fred Glass for the CFT. It is narrated by Joe Morton, with reenactments and other voices including those of Geoff Hoyle, Sharon Lockwood, and Herbert Siguenza. The project was funded by more than 400 contributions from union locals, labor councils, and internationals, mostly from California. Additional funding came from California Council for the Humanities, PG&E, and Kaiser Permanente. KCSM-TV donated the post-production services.

Grades: High school and up
Cost:

• $20 for two DVDs
• $25 with CD of lesson plans, student handouts, and readings

For more info: Phone the CFT Bay Area Office at 510-523-5238