About the Book
Organized labor is about the collective efforts of employees to improve their economic, social, and political position. It can be studied from many different points of view—historical, economic, sociological, or legal—but it is fundamentally about the struggle for human rights and social justice. As a rule, organized labor has tried to make the world a fairer place. Even though it has only ever covered a minority of employees in most countries, its effects on their political, economic, and social systems have been generally positive. History shows that when organized labor is repressed, the whole society suffers and is made less just.
The Historical Dictionary of Organized Labor looks at the history of organized labor to see where it came from and where it has been. This is done through a chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, a glossary of terms, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 400 cross-referenced entries on most countries, international as well as national labor organizations, major labor unions, leaders, and other aspects of organized labor such as changes in the composition of its membership. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about organized labor.
Table of Contents:
Editor’s Foreword by Jon Woronoff
Organized Labor: World Membership, 1870-2010
Preface
Acronyms and Abbreviations
Chronology
Introduction
The Dictionary
Appendixes
Glossary of terms
Bibliography
About the Authors
About the Author :
James C. Docherty wasan Australian federal government employee in various departments and a union member for over 20 years. He was an Honorary Research Associate with the National Centre for Australian Studies at Monash University from 1990 to 1996.
Sjaak van der Velden worked with the Historical Sample of the Netherlands from 2000 to 2007. Since then he has been working with the Socialist Party. His publications include 10 books in Dutch and numerous articles in Dutch and English.
Review :
Docherty and van der Velden are not only researchers but also former active members of unions. Consequently, they are able to provide broad, authentic, and credible views of labor movements. Their aims here are to make the subject of organized labor as accessible as possible, to show the variety of labor studies available, and to encourage a greater international outlook on the topic. Designed as a starting point for anyone who wants to learn more about labor, the work examines the history of organized labor through a chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, a glossary of terms, an extensive bibliography with relevant websites, and almost 500 cross-referenced entries on countries, national and international organizations, major unions, leaders, and other aspects of the movement, such as changes in membership composition. The entries, which emphasize 20th-century and current information, are well written and informative, while the appendixes and bibliography are comprehensive and lengthy. VERDICT This is a useful first resource for researchers and general readers, and one that is especially strong on topics of historical significance and international interest. Enough new material has been added to this incarnation to make it a worthwhile purchase for owners of the older editions.
This updated edition covers the general history of the world-wide organized labor movement, from key people to events and major unions. The scope is decidedly international, making this a specialized resource that will serve as a good starting point for research on unions and the labor movement. The authors are academics who have also been active union members. The detailed chronology starts all the way back in 1152 BCE, with Egyptian tomb makers refusing to work until they were paid, and ends in 2011, with various international strikes, including those over the collective-bargaining bill in Wisconsin. Over 400 entries cover mainly 20th-century history and the present, focusing on national and international organizations, major unions, major figures, and events. Examples include Australian Council of Trade Unions, Iconography, International Metalworkers Federation, Race and ethnicity, White-collar unionism, and Working hours. Interestingly, the authors note that they specifically kept references to ideas and political parties to a minimum, because they are addressed in Historical Dictionary of Socialism (2006). Appendixes (including statistics and a list of past and present international labor leaders), a glossary of terms, and an extensive bibliography round out the work. The new material in this edition makes it a worthwhile purchase for libraries owning the older editions. Recommended for larger academic and public libraries.
This dictionary is designed to be a research tool of first resort....There are appendixes with lists of leaders of international labor organizations, a glossary of terms, and union membership statistics. The lengthy bibliography, after a seven-page discussion of relevant literature, is divided up into: research guides, sources, and journals; international studies; national studies; features of labor unions; labor and society; labor and the economy; and organized labor and the future. There is a guide to selected Internet sites. It is a good starting point for the study of organized labor. Its worldwide scope, including both higher and lower income countries, is useful.
This title by independent scholars Docherty and van der Velden is international in scope and covers the span of organized labor from a work stoppage by pharaonic tomb builders (1152 BCE) to protests in Ohio and Wisconsin against anti-collective bargaining legislation (2011). Over 40 pages of introduction and chronology will benefit novice researchers. The bulk of the book comprises nearly 500 entries that cover countries, national and international labor organizations, and labor issues. The entries vary from a few lines to six pages, often pulling together information difficult to find elsewhere. Most entries have cross-references in boldface, and some have see also references. An 81-page bibliography includes entries as recent as 2011. The appendixes feature a glossary, membership data, and a list of labor federations. The third edition has 95 more entries, along with updated statistics and facts; its larger pages, new typeface, and layout make it easier to read....Summing Up: Recommended.
This excellent, well-written book undertakes the formidable task of bringing together in a single volume a wealth of information concerning organized labor. It is a challenge the authors meet with considerable skill and sophistication. The Historical Dictionary of Organized Labor contains a very usable chronology, a concise introduction, a vital glossary of terms, appendices with essential statistical data and an extensive bibliography. ... The point to be stressed is that the Historical Dictionary of Organized Labor covers an amazing variety of topics and explains them in a clear, concise manner. This is a valuable reference work that deserves to be on the shelves of all serious libraries. It is highly recommended.
