BBC Radio 4 LW

Americana

Factual

An insider's guide to the stories and people shaping the USA today

From coast to coast, an insider's guide to the stories and people shaping the USA today

Americana: 27/02/2011

27/02/2011

BBC Radio 4 - Americana, 27/02/2011

Matt Frei examines the history of unions in America and what may come next.

Unions in America are credited with creating the 40 hour work week, minimum wage, headaches, hurdles and delays. Americana examines the history and possible future of US unions.

American Unions:
Credited with creating the 40 hour work week and minimum wage, American labor unions are also criticised for creating headaches and hurdles for American businesses. With comment from James P. Hoffa, President of the Teamsters union and son of the late Jimmy Hoffa, experts Judith Stein and Kevin Williamson discuss the history and possible future for unions in the United States.

Protest Songs:
Writer, performer and satirist Kinky Friedman explains the useful melodies and sarcastic wit of protest songs both popular and less well known.

Raising the volume:
Colin Goddard was a student at Virginia Tech University in 2007 when gunman Seung-Hui Cho burst through the classroom door to shoot and kill 10 of Colin's 17 classmates. Goddard recovered from his multiple gunshot wounds and now travels the country to call for increased gun restrictions. He shares his thoughts about the gun debate with Americana.

BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Americana

27/02/2011

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4