Unions are bankrupting the United States. They're only good for protecting workers who make trouble. They're racist, sexist organizations run by crooks--and they're totally obsolete. Right?
Wrong, says labor leader Bill Fletcher, Jr. "They're Bankrupting Us!" mixes history with political analysis and firsthand descriptions of life as a laborer to dismantle 20 separate anti-union attacks, from concerns about financial corruption to the painting of unions as a "special interest" opposed to the common good. Fletcher offers a quick yet fascinating look at union life from their foundation to the current day and traces the crucial role labor unions have played in improving human rights in the U.S. and abroad.
Although he's clearly pro-labor, Fletcher is the first to admit that a union is only as good as its dedication to its members. He's clear that not all unions have fulfilled their visions, and that corruption and discrimination can affect any organization. Nevertheless, he remains committed to the idea that labor unions, when they represent a dedicated and involved labor force, are the primary force standing up for workers against increased business demands for productivity, longer hours and reduced wages and benefits. "They're Bankrupting Us!" is a solid introduction to the idea of unions as well as a guide to improving the lives of American workers. --Dani Alexis Ryskamp, blogger at The Book Cricket