Description
Book SynopsisAre contemporary US labor unions irrelevant, or in fact a changing force to be reckoned with as they grow into a new economy in a globalized America? This is a survey of the status of trade unions past, present, and future, nationally as well as through the labour situation in Ohio.
Trade ReviewThe authors have done a good job of weaving the historical work and involvement of labor in the electoral process with present day policies. The statistical data is valuable and could help shape organized labor's course of action in future years. This book is important reading. -- William A. Burga, president, Ohio AFL-CIO
Combines a rich substantive base of knowledge about union activities in the U.S. (and Ohio, in particular) with a clear, focused empirical research agenda. The general theories of interest group politics are applied with grace and clarity to the case of labor unions. Several unique sources of data allow the authors to make their points in an especially persuasive way. This will soon be a required reference for all who study labor in politics. Professors who offer upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses will find much useful material here. -- Paul E. Johnson, University of Kansas
This book is essential reading for anyone who seeks to understand how America's working families are making their voices heard in the political process. The authors present an informed and compelling account of the tremendous political achievements America's unions have made over the past five years, as well as a realistic reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. -- John Sweeney, president, AFL-CIO
An empirically grounded book that provides many useful insights into labor's political past and its potential for the future. Highly recommended for academic social science and business collections, lower-division undergraduate through faculty. * CHOICE *
An informative examination of selected aspects of organized labor's contemporary role in American electoral politics. * Industrial and Labor Relations Review *
Unions have declined and mutated in the face of dramatic demographic, economic, and political changes over the past decades. However, they have also reacted to these changes and reinvented themselves, mobilizing as never before for renewed political and economic clout. In this masterful survey, based on a thorough analysis of unions and their members, we see the ins and the outs of the Sweeney revolution of the 1990s. This book is helpful to anyone hoping for a better understanding of the roles and impacts of unions in American political life, but also for those interested in interests groups and political mobilization more generally. -- Frank Baumgartner, Penn State University
Table of ContentsChapter 1 American Labor Unions and Politics: An Introduction Chapter 2 The Changing Face of Labor Unions Chapter 3 Members' Attitudes toward Unions and Politics Chapter 4 Traditional Political Strategy Chapter 5 Political Strategy in the Sweeney Era Chapter 6 Union Political Activists Chapter 7 Election Day Outcomes Chapter 8 Challenges and Opportunities for Organized Labor Chapter 9 Appendix A: Research Design Chapter 10 Appendix B: The Ohio Union Surveys Chapter 11 Apprenix C: Variable Measurements: Ohio Union Surveys Chapter 12 References Chapter 13 List of Figures Chapter 14 List of Tables
