Description:
A lively and informed argument that highlights the continuing importance of unions in both shaping the economy and inspiring social and political activism
From the coffee shop to the college quad, the trade union idea is once again alive as a new American generation discovers that working-class collective action offers a pathway to both economic security and the fulfillment of some of their most expansive aspirations. Using contemporary accounts drawn from his own interviews and reporting, Nelson Lichtenstein shows why trade unionism matters in a world where, even in West Virginia, Walmart employees far outnumber coal miners, where baristas exhibit more militancy than construction workers, and where the very definition of who is a worker and who is a boss has been legally, organizationally, and managerially transformed so as to render contemporary labor law largely ineffectual.
Lichtenstein demonstrates how a militant and expansive unionism can subvert and limit authoritarianism not just in the workplace but also in the public sphere. He shows how such trade unions can raise income, reduce racial and gender inequalities, and mobilize workers to become more socially and politically active. Why Labor Unions Matter also reveals how general strikes, from San Francisco to Gdańsk and São Paulo, have been crucial to the replacement of authoritarian regimes with a radically transformative democracy.
Review Quotes: "The best labor historian in the United States has written a book that draws on his profound knowledge of unions past and present to make a compelling argument in vivid prose: organizations run by workers are essential to the making of a truly secure and democratic America. We are fortunate to have Nelson Lichtenstein to educate and inspire us."--Michael Kazin, author of What It Took to Win: A History of the Democratic Party
"Nelson Lichtenstein makes the compelling case as to why unions matter so much in the modern American economy. From factories to Hollywood writer's rooms to the college classroom, unions continue to offer the best bet despite ongoing attacks from powerful interests aligned against them."Julian E. Zelizer, author of In Defense of Partisanship
"Nelson Lichtenstein proves once again why he is our pre-eminent labor historian and insightful analyst of the contemporary labor movement. Why Labor Unions Matter should be required reading for all those concerned about reversing our country's descent into inequality and authoritarianism."--Steve Fraser, author of The Age of Acquiescence "Nelson Lichtenstein, the preeminent labor historian of our time, offers a fresh and deeply relevant account of not only why unions matter, but when and how. This is a must read for anyone interested in restoring democracy, equitable economic growth, and social justice for the American people."--Meg Jacobs, Princeton University