Central Labor Councils and the Revival of American Unionism: Organizing for Justice in Our Communities (review)

Central Labor Councils and the Revival of American Unionism is a volume that examines the opportunities and challenges faced by organized labor as it seeks to develop the central labor councils' (CLCs) potential to contribute to the movement's revitalization and growth in the United States. The book's format is an interesting and useful one for labor educators who straddle the worlds of theory and practice. In each of three sections, authors analyze the central thesis from a different perspective. The first three chapters are devoted to placing the CLC revival effort in the contemporary landscape. They both identify the institutional constraints and imagine the possibilities for change and effective operation of these local bodies. The following four chapters are case studies by academics that describe various components of CLC activities and assess their success. The final three chapters provide CLC leaders' "real world" accounts and analyses of their organizations' development and successes over time.

Both "students of" and "practitioners in" central labor councils will find valuable insights in each of the sections of this book. In particular, this is the first book that focuses on Union Cities, the New Alliance, and other contemporary revitalization strategies that also includes a thought-provoking and in-depth look (by Stuart Eimer) at the AFL, CIO, and international unions policies and actions that led to the decline of CLCs. It is the understanding and responsiveness to these conditions that will be necessary to make CLCs the force that, at least in theory, we know they are capable of being.

Likewise, some of the academic analyses of council activities give us a well-documented, detailed assessment of the ingredients needed for CLC effectiveness in today's political and economic environment. Again, a piece by Eimer is exemplary. His account of the Milwaukee County Labor Council's leadership in the Campaign for a Sustainable Milwaukee (CSM) not only recounts the campaign's development over six years, it also explains the strategies behind various facets of the campaign. We come to understand how the range of projects formed a comprehensive approach to Milwaukee's economic problems that a lasting coalition of unions and community-based organizations could support. We also glimpse inside the 'black box' of CLC deliberations to understand how this council overcame debates and tensions around urban vs. suburban, bottom-up vs. top-down, and mobilization vs. political favors strategies.

Finally, the entire segment of the book written by CLC leaders gives us a exciting look at what councils are accomplishing. This, in turn, is a source of optimism for the future. For example, from Jonathan Rosenblum we learn how the King County (WA) Labor Council operationalizes the Union Cities push for CLC involvement in organizing. He also describes the need for CLC policy flexibility while figuring out the most effective way to participate. Amy Dean's chapter is chock full of the kind of analyses that councils can use to fashion own plans that will make them a significant force in their communities. She discusses the changing nature of work, regional corporate integration, the South Bay (CA) Labor Council agenda to address them, and the necessary dimensions of CLC strategies (member mobilization, support for organizing, political action, and effective leveraging community relationships). Finally, Stewart Acuff's chapter on the political activities of the Atlanta Labor Council is an excellent primer on how and why CLCs should participate in elections. It should be mandatory reading for leaders and activists in CLCs of all sizes to help them clearly explain to their members the importance of power in securing good jobs, union representation, and good contracts, as well as the role of elected officials in that equation.

There are, however, some notable weaknesses in the volume. In setting...