Joshua Freeman

Joshua Freeman is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History at Queens College, the Graduate Center, and the School of Labor and Urban Affairs, City University of New York. His most recent book is Behemoth: A History of The Factory and the Making of the Modern World.

Staughton Lynd at peace march

Staughton Lynd Never Lost the Courage of His Convictions Staughton Lynd Never Lost the Courage of His Convictions

The historian and activist, who died last month, paid a steep price for his commitments. Yet he managed to find a way to keep agitating, and keep writing, while always remaining tr...

Dec 5, 2022 / Joshua Freeman

After ‘Harris v. Quinn’: The State of Our Unions

After ‘Harris v. Quinn’: The State of Our Unions After ‘Harris v. Quinn’: The State of Our Unions

After one of Supreme Court’s most anti-union rulings in recent years, is there still time for organized labor to save itself?

Jul 2, 2014 / Eileen Boris, Jennifer Klein, Joel Rogers, Joshua Freeman, and Jane McAlevey

What Happened to Working-Class New York?

What Happened to Working-Class New York? What Happened to Working-Class New York?

As images of wealth abound, the struggles of ordinary workers have become invisible.

Apr 16, 2013 / Feature / Joshua Freeman

Locking Down an American Workforce Locking Down an American Workforce

Prison labor as the past—and future—of American “free-market” capitalism.

Apr 19, 2012 / Steve Fraser and Joshua Freeman

Uncle Sam Does(n’t) Want You Uncle Sam Does(n’t) Want You

From the first jobless Americans through the Great Depression to the Great Recession of the present moment, the reserve army of labor marches through time.

Sep 12, 2011 / Steve Fraser and Joshua Freeman

Remembering the Triangle Fire

Remembering the Triangle Fire Remembering the Triangle Fire

After 100 years, the tragedy still inspires outrage and grief. Why does it have a hold on us?

Mar 16, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Joshua Freeman

Social Unionism Lives Social Unionism Lives

Garment workers at a suburban Chicago factory fight to save their jobs and prove that social unionism is still relevant.

May 27, 2009 / Joshua Freeman

A Fight for the Future A Fight for the Future

New York City transit workers, now back on the job after a two-day strike, are fighting for the rights of future workers and against the lie that abstract, neutral economic necessi...

Dec 22, 2005 / Feature / Joshua Freeman

Working-Class Heroes Working-Class Heroes

The September 11 attack on the World Trade Center led journalists and image-makers to rediscover New York's working class. In an extraordinary essay in Business Week titled "Real ...

Oct 25, 2001 / Joshua Freeman

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