ABSTRACT
Central Labor Councils are the local arm of the labor movement responsible for coordinating collective activities among different unions in a region. Once quite powerful organizations with important political roles at local and regional levels, CLCs waned significantly during the 1940s and 50s.
This work examines the recent re-emergence of Central Labor Councils and how they are being utilized as effective bodies to help rejuvenate the labor movement. It combines comprehensive history of the CLCs in America since the early 19th century and case studies by CLC leaders in Atlanta, Milwaukee, San Jose, and Seattle -- the regions where CLCs have re-emerged as important players in advancing the labor movement.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part |66 pages
The Task at Hand
part |84 pages
Case Studies
chapter |23 pages
The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor
chapter |16 pages
Fighting for Justice Beyond the Contract
chapter |22 pages
The Political Awakening of a Central Labor Council
chapter |21 pages
Building Political Power and Community Coalitions
part |60 pages
Voices from the Field