Scontras Center and Maine AFL-CIO Teach Labor History to Casco Bay High School Students

Two weeks ago, the Scontras Center for Labor and Community Education and the Maine AFL-CIO taught a unit to a Casco Bay High School freshman class on Maine labor history. Matt Emmick from the Scontras Center gave a fascinating labor history walking tour of Saco and Biddeford. He covered topics from the 1841 York Manufacturing Company Strike, how textile mills were connected to slavery, mill girls, and more. Students also explored how workers in these mills organized for dignity and fair conditions—many of them still young teenagers.

The same week veteran union organizer and author Peter Kellman did a presentation on labor and civil rights. On the last day, Andy O'Brien, Communications Director of the Maine AFL-CIO, gave a presentation on the history of workers' struggles in Maine from the first recorded strike in North America over working conditions on Richmond Island in 1636 to the modern era. We are always open to coming to classrooms to teach students and apprentices about Maine's rich labor history. If you are interested in having us give a presentation contact andy@maineaflcio.org.