Unionism is a dirty word to a lot of people these days, even in San Francisco, which not so long ago used to be one of the strongest union towns in the country. I work with kids half my age who have only a vague idea of what a labor union is. Many don't realize, or care, that the things they take for granted in the workplace -- medical benefits, vacation, a living wage -- are theirs today because of battles fought and won by organized labor years ago.

But in the age of Reagan-Bush free-market economics, the bosses are at it again, slashing payroll, offshoring jobs, chiseling on benefits, and demanding more, more, more while they choke on profit. Which gives the 15th LaborFest, the city's annual celebration of working people, an added sense of urgency. Between July 5 -- LaborFest always starts on July 5 to commemorate the anniversary of Bloody Thursday in 1934, a defining moment in American trade unionism -- and July 31, labor's contributions to the human commonwealth will be told through the mediums of art, music and theater.

Events are planned all over town (for the full roster, check here), but here's what's happening within walking distance of North Beach this month:

Sunday, July 6: Coit Tower Walk and WPA Murals Presentation. The murals in the lobby of Coit Tower were painted as part of the New Deal's Public Works Art Program. The artists were mainly communists and socialists and some themes reflect their political sensibilities. Meet at the tower entrance at 11 a.m. for a free tour of the murals.

Saturday, July 12: San Francisco General Strike Walk. Labor historians lead a walk past some of the important historical sites associated with the biggest strike in West Coast history, which galvanized the labor movement and established San Francisco as a top union town. Meet in Harry Bridges Plaza in front of the Ferry Building by 10 a.m. Free.

Saturday, July 12: Living History: S.F. Waterfront Strike of 1901. The Living History Players will present a dramatization of the 1901 City Waterfront Federation Strike. For more information, call 415-447-5000.

Sunday, July 13: Chinatown Labor Walk. This discussion and walk focuses on the history of the Chinese contribution to labor and the exploitation of Chinese workers in the garment industry. Chinese Historical Society, 965 Clay St. 10 a.m. Free.

Sunday, July 13: LaborFest Writers Workshop and Waterfront Writers, at City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Ave. Workshop members will be reading their own work and there will be a discussion of the WPA's Federal Writers' Project. It starts at 5 p.m. and it's free.

Sunday, July 20: Labor Maritime History Boat Tour. This is always a highlight of LaborFest. Take a three-hour evening cruise on the Bay and learn about local maritime labor history. This year the boat will provide a close-up look at the rising new eastern span of the Bay Bridge, which is being built by union iron workers, operators, carpenters, laborers, electricians and other maritime craft workers. Boarding at 4:45 p.m., boat leaves Terminal E of the Ferry Building at 5 p.m. sharp. $35. For reservations, call 415-642-8066, leaving your name, number of people in your party and a phone number.

Thursday, July 24: The Lessons of May Day '08. For the first time since the 1940s, the ILWU walked out of West Coast ports on May Day, effectively shutting them down, in protest of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. To put this demonstration into perspective, there will be a screening of "No Peace, No Work, ILWU Shuts Down West Coast Ports to Protest War." In the Henry Schmidt Room of ILWU's Local 10, 400 North Point at Mason. 7 p.m. Free.

With only 8 to 10 percent of American workers unionized, it's time for labor to reassert itself on the scene. It's needed now like it hasn't been needed in a long, long time.