Rethinking the American Labor Movement

Throughout the past century, labor movements at the local and national level have been engaged in efforts to shape the conditions of employment, pay, and benefits for the common worker. This has not been an easy battle, and it has not often resulted in ore than temporary victories. Yet the struggle has at times embraced a broad vision of a more equitable distribution of the nation's wealth and prosperity, and a desire for workers to have greater control over their own lives and those of their communities. Rethinking the American Labor Movement tells the story of the various groups and incidents that make up what we think of as the 'labor movement', and shows that not only were these efforts political in nature, but together, they form a social movement that has helped, for better or worse, shape the trajectory of American life.