Labor Unions - any good reference sources

[greenbird]

I'd like to learn more about labor unions in this country in order to be better informed. Any suggestions on where to start?

[TomClash]

1. Hit up OmahaSteve

He's the guy here who posts a lot of excellent labor stories, a real service to DU. My favorite general history book on the US is Zinn's People's History, which discusses labor a lot.

[Omaha Steve]

4. Never heard of him :-)

Good recommendation. I actually have "People's History" in my library.

I'm just heading to bed. I'll try tomorrow night to add to the list.

[TomClash]

5. LOL

The OP is looking for a basic history. Other than the old AFL book, which I hesitate to recommend, I could not think of one.

[curt_b]

2. here's a couple

You can order two of the best from UE's website
http://www.ranknfile-ue.org/cat_hist.html

Labor's Untold Story
Richard O. Boyer & Herbert M. Morais

Now in it's 3rd edition/26th printing!

The adventure story of the battles, betrayals and victories of American working men and women. Extensively researched, yet highly readable, history of the U.S. labor movement from the Civil War through the Eisenhower Administration. Widely regarded as a classic study since it was first published in 1955, the book documents labor-management conflict from the workers' perspective. Topics range from William Silvis's attempts to admit women and blacks into the labor movement; the first nationwide strike; the Justice Department's use of "red scare" tactics to break the great steel strike of 1919, to the "eclipse" of Joseph McCarthy. More about Labor's Untold Story...

One of the very best histories of the U.S. labor movement, now in it's third edition,26th printing. 380 pages. Also available in Spanish.

Them and Us:
The Struggles of a Rank-and-File Union
James J. Matles & James Higgins

Written by UE's first Director of Organization, James J. Matles, Them and Us, The Struggles of a Rank-and-File Union has been the most exciting history of UE available since it was released in 1974. With more history to tell, Them and Us was updated in 1995 to include more of the stories and struggles of UE members and their union. 331 pages.

[greenbird]

3. Thanks!