The Betrayal of Local 14: Paperworkers, Politics, and Permanent Replacements (Ilr Press Books)

I had Getman for labor law and that's why I bought this book. I'm passing it on to my sister who practice labor and employment law because I know she'll really enjoy it. It's a good book for someone who wants to get a picture of how unions work, internal politics and all, and the emotions involved in a labor strike. An objectiver look from an interesting guy who really knows this area of law.

This is an insightful and readable account of an important strike. The local leadership did not go looking for this strike, International Paper did. What they did not count on was the innovative tactics of the workers, and their leadership and advisors, who inflicted a lot of pain on the company. When I lived in Maine, the paper companies got everything just they way they wanted it. When they said jump, everyone from the Governor to the media said how high? And if the paper companies wanted fewer restrictions from environmental laws, even the unions went along with it. But in 1987-8, workers in Jay stood up. And a lot of Mainers stood by them. The strike shook things up in the state. This book is a useful reminder that workers can stand up for what they believe in. They can fight and make a difference. By the way. In other countries, like France, it is illegal to bring in permanent replacement scabs. It should be here.