Throughout the past century, labor movements at the local and national levels have engaged in efforts to shape the conditions of employment, pay, and benefits for the common worker. These attempts towards parity have been rife with contention, and often only yield temporary change. Yet, the struggle has embraced a broad vision of a more equitable distribution of the nation's wealth and prosperity and a desire for workers to have greater control over their own lives and those of their communities.

Rethinking the American Labor Movement tells the story of the various groups and incidents that make up what we think of as the 'labor movement,' and shows that these efforts are political in nature and form a social movement that has shaped the trajectory of American life.