Phil Murray: At The Interface Of American Labour And Catholic Social Teaching

Abstract

　　Economic, political, and religious factions struggled for control of work forces in the 19th century as industrializing societies in Europe and the United States of America (US) gained power. In Europe, where class distinctions were entrenched, political parties that focused on the labouring classes emerged, with significant impact from the religious organizations that dominated each society.

　　In the US, with a less class-defined society, and without the tradition of an established church, political parties based on the “working class” did not materialize, nor did parties controlled by a religious faction. US political parties were coalitions of economic, geographic, and ethnic alliances. The saga of Philip Murray, one of the key leaders of the US unionization era of 1920-1950, illustrates the complexity of the US work force, the importance of secular political forces for unionisation, and the influence of the Catholic Church on the process.