Against Labor: How U.S. Employers Organized to Defeat Union Activism

Since the beginning of the American labor movement in the 1800s, capitalists have continually challenged labor unions’ right to exist and organize workers while supporting market economics and scorning government intervention. Feurer and Pearson edited a collection of case studies written by history professors outlining specific employer and political actions against unions. Some case studies include the impact of racism and overt strike breaking in the early 20th century, creation of open shops where employees are not required to join a union in Detroit, union-busting efforts of the Albert A. Ahner Detective Agency, courtroom dramas, and the impact of the “right to work’ component of the Taft-Hartley Act in the 21st century. The cases appear disjointed but involve a wide variety of anti-union efforts. Almost three-quarters of the book discusses events before 1960. The final chapter focuses on the current political divide. Sandra Albrecht provides another example of corporate challenges to labor with her The Assault on Labor (Lexington, 2016). Well referenced throughout.