In 1619, skilled craftsmen in Jamestown—many from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, alongside German and Slovak workers—downed tools with a simple demand: no vote, no work. What followed is widely considered the first recorded labor strike on the continent—and it won.

On today’s episode of “Strike, we’re traveling back over 3,000 years to Egypt where Pharaoh Ramses III dealt with the first labor strike in recorded history! This is the story of the Deir el-Medina Tomb Workers’ Strike.

"Strike" is a short form animated series discussing each labor strike throughout recorded history. Join host Tim Phillippe as he uncovers the history of a new labor every episode.

“Strike” premieres Labor Day 2025 on the “America! The Podcast Presents” YouTube Page and your favorite podcast app!

“Strike! A Brief History Of The Workers’ War” was created by Tim Phillippe and is a production of Shway Media.