Suchergebnisse

Circumstances responsible for the gradual fragmentation of the US labor movement, exemplified by the withdrawal of Service Employees International Union & the United Food and Commercial Workers from the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations, are investigated. Interviews were conducted with leaders (N = undetermined) from the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations & other labor unions to determine the reasons behind the divided nature of the US labor movement. Although splinter groups within the labor movement question the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organization's capacity to strengthen organizing programs, it is contended that the movements measured breakup will jeopardize key labor organization projects including Working America. Attention is subsequently dedicated to ascertaining whether the massive national membership drives are actually beneficial to the US labor movement. Regardless of the advantages & consequences of such organizing strategies, it is stressed that such large-scale membership drives have closed the distance between conservative & liberal unions. It is noted that alternative organizational strategies, eg, those employed by the American Federation of Teachers, have realized success in increasing members & suggested that the dissection of the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations may have been unnecessary. J. W. Parker

Use of convict labor by private business in private-run and state prison systems; impact on civilian employment, prisoners' rights, export of prison-made goods, and other issues; US.

Examines attempts by prison inmates to organize unions for workers in US correctional institutions, contending that these labor leaders are strongly disciplined, sometimes threatened with death, & have little outside support. The case of Jerome White-Bey, founder of the Missouri Prisoners Labor Union (MPLU) is related, noting that silent strikes have been frequent in MO's system where inmates are required to work for pittances making various consumer goods. In spite of the filing of over 1,000 grievances in a single week, the MO Dept of Corrections not only refuses to recognize the MPLU, but is keeping White-Bey in a solitary confinement cell known as "the Hole." The history of prison labor in the US is traced, & prison unions that have been formed in other states are examined. It is noted that the AFL-CIO does not absolutely oppose prison labor but has spoken out against expanding federal prison industries on the basis that it takes jobs away from nonconvicts. Reasons for opposition to the unionization of prisoners & prospects for the future are discussed. J. Lindroth

'Labor Essays 1997: Renewing and Revitalising Labor' edited by Gary Jungwirth is reviewed.