In June of 2023, I had the privilege of interviewing Frank Emspak about his life as an organizer. A week later Frank passed away after a long battle with cancer.

When we spoke he told me about his family's radical legacy, the founding of his father's union, UE, his own time as a steward in an IUE local at a GE plant, and the many projects he started in his life to advance the cause of workers. From pay raises for student workers at UW Madison, to the National Coordinating Committee to End the War in Vietnam, the fight around technology and working conditions on the factory floor where he worked, and the Workers' Independent News. He had a passion and commitment to organizing the working class. He was principled, practical, and political. Sharp and insightful to the very very end.

We recorded the session in two parts because Frank was tired. And we did it out of order, as I was worried about not getting to the most important bits if we recorded chronologically. To make things even more complicated, at the time my internet service was poor. And a lot of what I said couldn't be heard well. This has meant that there's a lot of editing work to be done, and added narration for context.

I'm excited to say that I found a skilled and dedicated sound engineer through the labor history podcast circuit and together we're working through the interview. We would love to publish it this summer. With the help of these donations I hope we can do that! Please consider contributing, and please share with friends.

In solidarity,

Daphna