In this episode, we sit down with Ellen Cassedy, co-founder of the 9to5 movement and author of Working 9 to 5: A women’s movement, a labor union, and the iconic movie, to explore how a group of frustrated Boston typists and secretaries sparked a nationwide revolution for women’s labor rights in the 1970s. What began as informal lunchtime discussions about low pay, invisible work, and rampant workplace indignities quickly transformed into a powerful organizing force that challenged major corporations, won landmark back-pay settlements, and eventually birthed a dedicated union district for office workers.
Cassedy walks us through the nuts and bolts of early grassroots organizing—from handing out underground newsletters at T stations and distributing guerrilla employment surveys to hosting high-profile forums with leaders like Ted Kennedy. The conversation offers a captivating look at how these Boston-led efforts directly inspired the iconic 1980 Jane Fonda film and Dolly Parton hit song 9 to 5, while underscoring how organized labor, gender equality, and collective action continue to shape the modern workplace.
Continue reading Working 9 to 5 in Boston, with Ellen Cassedy (episode 362)