From Booklist
Last year's strike against UPS and the more recent one against GM have gained visibility for the labor movement. At the same time, labor leaders have seen indications that the trend toward declining union rolls may have been halted. Given these signs of a revived labor movement, the contributors to this collection of 21 essays from the Queens College Labor Resource Center ask whether labor has learned the lessons of the past and whether union leaders are willing to make the changes necessary to adapt to both a changing workforce and a changing workplace. The collection is grouped into five parts: democracy, ideology, and change; organizing the unorganized; diversity and inclusion; parties and politics; and international affairs. Encouraged by the election of John Sweeney (who adds an afterword) and his New Voice slate to head the AFL-CIO in 1995, this cross section of union activists and leaders makes its case for a more inclusive and democratic labor movement. David Rouse

FROM THE CRITICS

Booknews

Leaders and activists associated with the mainstream American Federation of Labor after the election of reformer John Sweeney as president in 1995 offer their plans and visions for the labor movement. In 13 original essays they cover democracy, ideology, and change; organizing the unorganized; diversity and inclusion; parties and politics; and international affairs. Among the perspectives are creating democratic communities in the workplace, membership-based organizing, strategies for including women and rebuilding unionism, building a labor party, and developing and enforcing international labor standards. Sweeney himself contributes an afterword. No bibliographical references. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

This spirited collection is indispensable reading for anyone who wants to know what it will take for unions to inspire and mobilize a mass movement that will transform our nation, deepen our commitment to justice and democracy, and promote the inclusiveness that is key both to the labor movement and sustained economic growth.  — Jesse L. Jackson

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