Historical Encyclopedia of American Labor

The history of the American labor movement is filled with advances, triumphs, setbacks, decline, and resurgence. American unions have not only protected workers and influenced business practices, but have also played important roles in American politics. The AFL-CIO, the Teamsters, and the United Farm Workers are just three examples of unions that have exerted wide influence far beyond the scope of industry. Labor leaders, including Samuel Gompers, John L. Lewis, Eugene Debs, Cesar Chavez, and Jimmy Hoffa, have become icons of U.S. history. Serving as the ideal place for students and interested readers to begin their research, this two-volume A-Z resource covers the history of organized labor in all of its complexity, from the dawn of the industrial revolution to the post-industrial age.

Nearly 400 entries cover unions, labor leaders, key legislation, major court cases, landmark events, critical terminology, anti-union organizations, and much more. Entries are packed with current information and are clearly written and engaging to specialists and non-specialists alike. Also included are nearly 100 illustrations and 55 primary documents that range from autobiographies to song lyrics and contracts, enabling students to read the actual words of critical documents in American labor history. Entries are extensively cross-referenced and include bibliographies. A general bibliography will also direct readers to further avenues of research.

ROBERT E. WEIR is Associate Professor of History and Liberal Studies at Bay Path College. A 2001 Senior Fulbright Scolar, Weir is the author of Knights Unhorsed: Internal Conflict in a Gilded Age Social Movement and Beyond Labor's Veil: The Culture of the Knights of Labor.JAMES P. HANLAN is Associate Professor of History and Secretary of the Faculty of Humanities and Arts at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He is the author of The Working Population of Manchester, New Hampshire, 1840-1866.