The Encyclopedia of Strikes in American History

by Aaron Brenner (Editor), Benjamin Henry Day (Editor), Immanuel Ness (Editor)

Strikes have been part of American labor relations from colonial days to the present, reflecting the widespread class conflict that has run throughout the nation's history. Against employers and their goons, against the police, the National Guard, local, state, and national officials, against racist vigilantes, against their union leaders, and against each other, American workers have walked off the job for higher wages, better benefits, bargaining rights, legislation, job control, and just plain dignity. At times, their actions have motivated groundbreaking legislation, defining new rights for all citizens; at other times they have led to loss of workers' lives. This comprehensive encyclopedia is the first detailed collection of historical research on strikes in America. To provide the analytical tools for understanding strikes, the volume includes two types of essays - those focused on an industry or economic sector, and those focused on a theme. Each industry essay introduces a group of workers and their employers and places them in their economic, political, and community contexts. The essay then describes the industry's various strikes, including the main issues involved and outcomes achieved, and assesses the impact of the strikes on the industry over time. Thematic essays address questions that can only be answered by looking at a variety of strikes across industries, groups of workers, and time, such as, why the number of strikes has declined since the 1970s, or why there was a strike wave in 1946. The contributors include historians, sociologists, anthropologists, and philosophers, as well as current and past activists from unions and other social movement organizations. Photos, a Topic Finder, a bibliography, and name and subject indexes add to the works appeal.

Genres: Labor

792 pages, Hardcover

First published March 30, 2009

Reviews

[Chris Brown]

Brenner, A., Day, B., & Ness, I. (2009). The encyclopedia of strikes in american history. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe.

Chris Brown

Call Number: HD5324 .E39 2009

This encyclopedia is a fine addition to the history department of any school.

This encyclopedia offers any student studying U.S. History and even World History the ability to gain knowledge and information about labor unions and laws in the United States of America. This book is valuable at my school because the U.S. History curriculum deals with numerous labor laws and strikes and this book could provide a lot of information to students who seek more than just an overview of strikes and labor laws.