Knocking on Labor’s Door: Union Organizing in the 1970s and the Roots of a New Economic Divide (Justice, Power, and Politics)

The power of unions in workers’ lives and in the American political system has declined dramatically since the 1970s. In recent years, many have argued that the crisis took root when unions stopped reaching out to workers and workers turned away from unions. But here Lane Windham tells a different story. Highlighting the integral, often-overlooked contributions of women, people of color, young workers, and southerners, Windham reveals how in the 1970s workers combined old working-class tools--like unions and labor law--with legislative gains from the civil and women’s rights movements to help shore up their prospects. Through close-up studies of workers' campaigns in shipbuilding, textiles, retail, and service, Windham overturns widely held myths about labor’s decline, showing instead how employers united to manipulate weak labor law and quash a new wave of worker organizing. Recounting how employees attempted to unionize against overwhelming opposition from bosses and corporations, Knocking on Labor's Door dramatically refashions the narrative of labor and politics during a crucial decade and remaps the recent history of the American workplace. Windham's story inspires both hope and indignation, and will become a must-read in labor, civil rights, and women’s history. The Power Of Unions In Workers' Lives And In The American Political System Has Declined Dramatically Since The 1970s. In Recent Years, Many Have Argued That The Crisis Took Root When Unions Stopped Reaching Out To Workers And Workers Turned Away From Unions. But Here Lane Windham Tells A Different Story. Highlighting The Integral, Often-overlooked Contributions Of Women, People Of Color, Young Workers, And Southerners, Windham Reveals How In The 1970s Workers Combined Old Working-class Tools--like Unions And Labor Law--with Legislative Gains From The Civil And Women's Rights Movements To Help Shore Up Their Prospects. Through Close-up Studies Of Workers' Campaigns In Shipbuilding, Textiles, Retail, And Service, Windham Overturns Widely Held Myths About Labor's Decline, Showing Instead How Employers United To Manipulate Weak Labor Law And Quash A New Wave Of Worker Organizing. Recounting How Employees Attempted To Unionize Against Overwhelming Odds, Knocking On Labor's Door Dramatically Refashions The Narrative Of Working-class Struggle During A Crucial Decade And Shakes Up Current Debates About Labor's Future. Windham's Story Inspires Both Hope And Indignation, And Will Become A Must-read In Labor, Civil Rights, And Women's History. -- Provided By Publisher. The Dilemma Of The Narrow Door -- Millions Go Knocking -- Employers Close The Door -- Signing Up In The Shipyard -- Out Of The Southern Frying Pan, Into The Global Fire -- Resistance In Retail: Organizing Woodward & Lothrop -- 9 To 5: Framing A New Doorway. Lane Windham. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 255-282) And Index. "The power of unions in workers' lives and in the American political system has declined dramatically since the 1970s. In recent years, many have argued that the crisis took root when unions stopped reaching out to workers and workers turned away from unions. But here Lane Windham tells a different story. Highlighting the integral, often-overlooked contributions of women, people of color, young workers, and southerners, Windham reveals how in the 1970s workers combined old working-class tools--like unions and labor law--with legislative gains from the civil and women's rights movements to help shore up their prospects. Through close-up studies of workers' campaigns in shipbuilding, textiles, retail, and service, Windham overturns widely held myths about labor's decline, showing instead how employers united to manipulate weak labor law and quash a new wave of worker organizing. Recounting how employees attempted to unionize against overwhelming odds, Knocking on Labor's Door dramatically refashions the narrative of working-class struggle during a crucial decade and shakes up current debates about labor's future. Windham's story inspires both hope and indignation, and will become a must-read in labor, civil rights, and women's history."--Résumé de l'éditeur Cover -- Contents -- Abbreviations Used in the Text -- Introduction -- Part I -- 1. The Dilemma of the Narrow Door -- 2. Millions Go Knocking -- 3. Employers Close the Door -- Part II -- 4. Signing Up in the Shipyard -- 5. Out of the Southern Frying Pan, into the Global Fire -- 6. Resistance in Retail: Organizing Woodward & Lothrop -- 7. 9to5: Framing a New Doorway -- Conclusion -- Acknowledgments -- Appendix. NLRB Elections and Voters by Year -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- Q -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W -- Y Highlighting the integral, often-overlooked contributions of women, people of color, young workers, and Southerners, Lane Windham reveals how in the 1970s workers combined old working-class tools - like unions and labour law - with legislative gains from the civil and women's rights movements to help shore up their prospects.