Juravich's new CD reflects struggles and dreams of workers

For his new CD, “Altar of the Bottom Line,” and a forthcoming book by the same name, Labor Studies professor and singer-songwriter Tom Juravich draws upon the struggles and dreams of workers detailed in more than 100 interviews conducted over the past five years.

“There’s not a lot of music these days that speaks to peoples’ working lives,” Juravich said. “I wanted to capture that experience and make these private struggles public – to shine a light on what people face everyday on the job.”

According to Juravich’s website, the recording reflects “the dirty grunt work so many immigrants do; the soul-crushing monotony and surveillance of call centers; the bashing of teachers and other public sector workers; and the corporate arrogance and the disruption of lives that comes with placing profit above all else,” as well as the resilience and dignity of American workers.

Seventeen U.S.-based unions came together in an unprecedented effort to sponsor Altar of the Bottom Line.”

“It’s just wonderful to see unions coming together to support this kind of work,” said. Juravich, whose first album, “Rising Again,” was sponsored by the United Auto Workers in 1981.

More Information

Listen to Juravich interviewed on WBUR’s “Here and Now”

September 8, 2009.

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