Unions in Crisis?

"Michael Schiavone's prescription for what ails the American labor movement is right on target. Workers need more, not less, social justice unionism. If organized labor is going to have a future, it must embrace workplace militancy, internal democracy, cross-border solidarity, and a broader political agenda." -- Steve Early, Labor Notes Policy Committee member "This important contribution provides a sober and authoritative perspective on the contracting state of U.S. labor with historical command and critical awareness of the limitations organized labor must transcend to reverse its decline. Schiavone skillfully exposes the new organizing fads that are unlikely to ignite a revitalization of the U.S. labor movement in the 21st Century. Unions in Crisis? is compelling and timely reading." -- Immanuel Ness, City University of New York, author of Unions, Immigrants, and the New U.S. Labor Market

Unionism in the United States was quite successful during and after World War II, especially during the "golden years" of American capitalism (1947-73) as workers' wages increased quite dramatically in a number of industries. This book outlines major changes which helps unions and enables US labor movement to regain some of its strength.Unionism in the United States was quite successful during and after World War II, especially during the golden years of American capitalism (1947-73) as workers' wages increased quite dramatically in a number of industries. For example, average hourly earnings for workers in meatpacking rose 114% between 1950 and 1965, those in steel 102%, in rubber tires by 96%, and in manufacturing 81%. At the same time as union members' wages were increasing, union membership was declining. Yet, the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) argued that organizing new members was not a priority. By concentrating on the existing membership and bread-and-butter issues, and not organizing new members, unionism could not deal with the attack on the social contract by employers and the government beginning in the United States in the late 1970s. However, while many people are claiming that organized labor is a dinosaur, Schiavone argues that a strong union movement is needed now more than ever. Unionism in the United States was quite successful during and after World War II, especially during the golden years of American capitalism (1947-73) as workers' wages increased quite dramatically in a number of industries. For example, average hourly earnings for workers in meatpacking rose 114% between 1950 and 1965, those in steel 102%, in rubber tires by 96%, and in manufacturing 81%. At the same time as union members' wages were increasing, union membership was declining. Yet, the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) argued that organizing new members was not a priority. By concentrating on the existing membership and bread-and-butter issues, and not organizing new members, unionism could not deal with the attack on the social contract by employers and the government beginning in the United States in the late 1970s. Following that attack, there was a significant decline in U.S. workers' wages and conditions in real terms, and there was a corresponding decline in union membership. However, while many people...