Labor under Siege: Big Bob McEllrath and the ILWU's Fight for Organized Labor in an Anti-Union Era
Finalist in the category of Narrative Nonfiction for the 2023 IPNE Book Awards from the Independent Publishers of New England

Winner of the 2023 National Indie Excellence Award – Biography/Historical

Winner of the 2023 IPPY – Gold – West-Pacific Best Regional Nonfiction, sponsored by the Independent Publisher Book Award

Winner of the 2023 Nautilus Award – Silver – Heroic Journeys Category, sponsored by the Nautilus Book Awards

Compelling stories and forceful voices capture a tenacious union in transition

Big Bob—six-feet-four Robert McEllrath's waterfront handle—was heralded for his powerful speaking style, charisma, unifying vision, and negotiating prowess. President of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) for twelve eventful years, McEllrath retired in 2018 after nearly forty years as a union officer. More than just a telling of a storied career, Labor under Siege explores how the influential union persisted in an era when the US labor movement was under attack and seemingly in retreat.

In the face of grave dangers since the 1980s, including threats from corporations, government authorities, law enforcement agents, and even other labor unions, the ILWU has persevered and retained its vibrancy. Offering insight into Big Bob's leadership and a close-up view of how decision-making and policy were carried out to ensure the union's survival, Labor under Siege shows how union officers and rank-and-file members shaped ILWU strategy and furthered the union's legacy of advocating for workers' rights, democracy, and justice.

"1140544148"
Labor under Siege: Big Bob McEllrath and the ILWU's Fight for Organized Labor in an Anti-Union Era
Finalist in the category of Narrative Nonfiction for the 2023 IPNE Book Awards from the Independent Publishers of New England

Winner of the 2023 National Indie Excellence Award – Biography/Historical

Winner of the 2023 IPPY – Gold – West-Pacific Best Regional Nonfiction, sponsored by the Independent Publisher Book Award

Winner of the 2023 Nautilus Award – Silver – Heroic Journeys Category, sponsored by the Nautilus Book Awards

Compelling stories and forceful voices capture a tenacious union in transition

Big Bob—six-feet-four Robert McEllrath's waterfront handle—was heralded for his powerful speaking style, charisma, unifying vision, and negotiating prowess. President of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) for twelve eventful years, McEllrath retired in 2018 after nearly forty years as a union officer. More than just a telling of a storied career, Labor under Siege explores how the influential union persisted in an era when the US labor movement was under attack and seemingly in retreat.

In the face of grave dangers since the 1980s, including threats from corporations, government authorities, law enforcement agents, and even other labor unions, the ILWU has persevered and retained its vibrancy. Offering insight into Big Bob's leadership and a close-up view of how decision-making and policy were carried out to ensure the union's survival, Labor under Siege shows how union officers and rank-and-file members shaped ILWU strategy and furthered the union's legacy of advocating for workers' rights, democracy, and justice.

30.0 In Stock
Labor under Siege: Big Bob McEllrath and the ILWU's Fight for Organized Labor in an Anti-Union Era

Labor under Siege: Big Bob McEllrath and the ILWU's Fight for Organized Labor in an Anti-Union Era

Labor under Siege: Big Bob McEllrath and the ILWU's Fight for Organized Labor in an Anti-Union Era

Labor under Siege: Big Bob McEllrath and the ILWU's Fight for Organized Labor in an Anti-Union Era

Paperback

$30.00 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    Qualifies for Free Shipping
  • PICK UP IN STORE
    Check Availability at Nearby Stores

Related collections and offers


Overview

Finalist in the category of Narrative Nonfiction for the 2023 IPNE Book Awards from the Independent Publishers of New England

Winner of the 2023 National Indie Excellence Award – Biography/Historical

Winner of the 2023 IPPY – Gold – West-Pacific Best Regional Nonfiction, sponsored by the Independent Publisher Book Award

Winner of the 2023 Nautilus Award – Silver – Heroic Journeys Category, sponsored by the Nautilus Book Awards

Compelling stories and forceful voices capture a tenacious union in transition

Big Bob—six-feet-four Robert McEllrath's waterfront handle—was heralded for his powerful speaking style, charisma, unifying vision, and negotiating prowess. President of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) for twelve eventful years, McEllrath retired in 2018 after nearly forty years as a union officer. More than just a telling of a storied career, Labor under Siege explores how the influential union persisted in an era when the US labor movement was under attack and seemingly in retreat.

In the face of grave dangers since the 1980s, including threats from corporations, government authorities, law enforcement agents, and even other labor unions, the ILWU has persevered and retained its vibrancy. Offering insight into Big Bob's leadership and a close-up view of how decision-making and policy were carried out to ensure the union's survival, Labor under Siege shows how union officers and rank-and-file members shaped ILWU strategy and furthered the union's legacy of advocating for workers' rights, democracy, and justice.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780295750330
Publisher: University of Washington Press
Publication date: 10/18/2022
Pages: 320
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

Harvey Schwartz is curator of the Oral History Collection for the ILWU Library in San Francisco. He is the author of Building the Golden Gate Bridge: A Workers' Oral History and Solidarity Stories: An Oral History of the ILWU. Ronald E. Magden (1926–2018) is the author of several books, including A History of Seattle Waterfront Workers, 1884–1934 and two accounts of longshore unionism in Tacoma.

Table of Contents

Introduction ix

1 "Assholes and Elbows": Local 4 Dispatcher, 1980-1993 1

2 "Country Boy with Pencil": Coast Committeeman, 1993-1999 28

3 "Going to Shake Hands": International Vice President, 2000-2006 58

4 "I Got a Plan": International President, 2007-2009 95

5 "Seeing Where People are Going": International President, 2010-2012 134

6 "Trying to Win a Battle": International President, 2011-2013 159

7 "Up against Some Difficult Times": International President, 2013-2015 197

8 "Live to Fight Another Day": International President, 2016-2018 224

Acknowledgments 255

List of Interviewees 259

Notes 265

Further Reading 291

Index 293

What People are Saying About This

Laurie Mercier

"As labor reasserts itself, it can learn from those who recall the importance of effective leadership, maintaining solidarity locally and internationally, supporting social justice causes, and upholding the ILWU motto, "an injury to one is an injury to all.""

Erik Loomis

"A model of oral history. The ILWU is such a fascinating union with its militant past that bleeds into the present, making Labor under Siege all the more compelling."

Peter Cole

"Robert McEllrath steered the legendary, militant West Coast dockworkers union through some of its most tumultuous waters. Schwartz, a consummate oral historian, lets the voices of Big Bob and those around him describe those stormy seas."

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews