Forging a Union of Steel: Philip Murray, SWOC, and the United Steelworkers

by Paul F. Clark (Editor), Peter Gottlieb (Editor), Donald Kennedy (Editor)

Overview

More than any other labor victory of the 1930s, the emergence of the Steel Workers' Organizing Committee symbolized the rise of organized labor to a position of power in the United States. Yet, as the contributors to this volume demonstrate, the unionization of the steel industry, and most notably the role of SWOC and Philip Murray in that process, has received far less attention than it deserves.

Beginning with a discussion of why the unionization of steel has been relatively neglected by labor historians, the contributors to this volume analyze early organizing efforts in steel, the major transformations wrought and felt by the union, and the character of the union members and leaders. Critical throughout is discussion of the role of Philip Murray in shaping the United Steelworkers of America into one of the premier economic, social, and political institution of the war years and beyond.

Contributors: David Brody, Malvyn Dubovsky, Ronald L. Filippelli, Mark McColloch, Ronald W. Schatz

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780875461359
Publisher:	Cornell University Press
Publication date:	11/30/1987
Pages:	170
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Paul F. Clark is Head and Professor in the Department of Labor Studies and Employment Relations at Penn State University. He is the author, editor, or coeditor of several books, including Building More Effective Unions and Collective Bargaining in the Private Sector, both from Cornell.

Table of Contents

Preface
by Paul F. Clark, Peter Gottlieb, and Donald Kennedy1. The History of Missing, Almost: Philip Murray, the Steelworkers, and the Historians
by Ronald L. Filippelli2. The Origins of Modern Steel Unionism: The SWOC Era
by David Brody3. Labor's Odd Couple: Philip Murray and John L. Lewis
by Melvyn Dubofsky4. Consolidating Industrial Citizenship: The USWA at War and Peace, 1939–46
by Mark McColloch5. Battling over Government’s Role
by Ronald W. SchatzComments
by I. W. Abel, Walter Burke, Abe Raskin, John Hoerr, and Harold J. RuttenbergBibliography
Major Events in the History of the Steelworkers
Contributors
Editors
Index

Editorial Reviews

A useful primer for researchers wishing to explore the rich interpretative and narrative possibilities of Philip Murray's leadership and the development of steel unionism between 1935 and 1952. The essays complement one another and suggest fresh questions and approaches to this important facet of labor history.

-- "Business History Review"

This book fills an obvious void and succeeds in its efforts at directing scholars into fertile territory for the future. It is a 'must' acquisition for all labor studies collections. It would be a good supplemental text in an upper division labor studies course devoted to the history and development of the CIO. The book might even be used on the history of the Steelworkers in those areas of the country where Big Steel and the Steelworkers continue to maintain a strong presence.

-- "Labor Studies Journal"

This useful anthology is a collection of papers and comments presented in a 1986 conference at Penn State by labor historians, trade unionists, and other commentators on the Steel Workers Organizing Committee (SWOC), the United Steel Workers of America (USWA), and the union's leader, Philip Murray.

-- "Industrial and Labor Relations Review"

From the Publisher

A useful primer for researchers wishing to explore the rich interpretative and narrative possibilities of Philip Murray's leadership and the development of steel unionism between 1935 and 1952. The essays complement one another and suggest fresh questions and approaches to this important facet of labor history.

Business History Review

This useful anthology is a collection of papers and comments presented in a 1986 conference at Penn State by labor historians, trade unionists, and other commentators on the Steel Workers Organizing Committee (SWOC), the United Steel Workers of America (USWA), and the union's leader, Philip Murray.

Industrial and Labor Relations Review

This book fills an obvious void and succeeds in its efforts at directing scholars into fertile territory for the future. It is a 'must' acquisition for all labor studies collections. It would be a good supplemental text in an upper division labor studies course devoted to the history and development of the CIO. The book might even be used on the history of the Steelworkers in those areas of the country where Big Steel and the Steelworkers continue to maintain a strong presence.

Labor Studies Journal