The Union Member's Complete Guide: Everything you want--and need--to know about working union (review)

The Union Member's Complete Guide is a sound sourcebook for new union members, particularly for those who take their union membership seriously. It is readable and readily digestible, two major accomplishments for a work of this nature. As intended, this volume is a good primer for new members with little or no union experience, those who are cautiously testing the waters of active union membership. The target audience is the uninitiated, but the book provides solid information for active unionists as well.

The author set out to write a book that "steps back a pace and talks about the fundamentals of unionism," a need identified by the book's publisher, David Prosten, of Union Communication Services. Mauer succeeds in this mission, working through some of the more complex topics with both clarity and conciseness. He provides a thorough explanation of topics which consume union activists while managing to avoid haranguing the reader, and in doing so, offers a straightforward, factual representation of unionism.

In a chapter entitled "How your union operates," Mauer outlines union structure from the shop floor to international connections. As he describes these linkages, he manages to allow for differences among unions without becoming mired in detail. Mauer's even-handed treatment of the law, union membership and the duty of fair representation are other examples of readable and informative treatments of topics which can intimidate new unionists.

A major advantage of the book is that Mauer, while clearly a union supporter, avoids demonizing the employer or sentimentalizing the union. Given the profound anti-union bias of society in general, this is a useful approach to take with an incoming union member. Acknowledging that unions are flawed organizations created by less-than-perfect individuals is a wise and truthful strategy. Pointing out that a lack of participation is the primary weakening factor with any democratic institution has rarely motivated greater involvement. It is, however, realistic and does arm the new unionist with a solid defense of the union early in her or his initiation.

The book's primary weakness is that it limits its focus to new members who are approaching unionism for the first time, who are very likely bringing with them the individualistic perspective so dominant in society. This rationale, the "what's in it for me?" approach, is undoubtedly appropriate for many new union members. At the same time, Mauer does a commendable job of iterating the benefits of collective action and describing strength in solidarity.

I would definitely recommend this volume for a thoughtful and investigative reader with an open and enquiring mind. For the potential activist, however, I would also want to recommend companion volumes on labor's struggle to kindle greater passion for the labor movement and its aims. Books like Ravenswood (Juravich and Bronfenbrenner), Holding the Line (Kingsolver), or classics like Labor's Untold Story (Boyer and Morais) and The Triangle Fire (Stein) would go beyond Mauer's Guide to equip and inspire new union activists. Still, the careful delineation of the fundamentals in Mauer's volume is an excellent base for new union members.