The Book & Election 2008

The relevance of State of The Unions to the presidential election has been the topic of several recent radio and television interviews, a Newsweek column and speeches at union conventions around the country. Its relevance is two-fold: The book looks at what labor typically does -- and what it should do -- during elections. And it examines how to appeal to working-class voters -- particularly Reagan Democrats/blue-collar conservatives/NASCAR Dads -- who once again loom as swing voters in key states. They're all the more important given the work remaining for Barack Obama to appeal to the values of these pivotal voters and John McCain's service, which resonates among some in this group.

Welcome

Philip Dine is a Washington-based journalist, frequent speaker on labor and politics, and author of the recent State of the Unions: How Labor Can Strengthen the Middle Class, Improve Our Economy, and Regain Political Influence (McGraw-Hill). The book delves into the decline of American labor unions, explores how their troubles have had a powerful effect on our way of life and on our political landscape, and suggests how labor could revitalize itself.

This web site contains information about State of the Unions, Mr. Dine's book events and speaking appearances, as well as his periodic blog on labor issues.

What They're Saying

The book, State of the Unions, is receiving wide praise:

AFL-CIO: ”...one of the best books in years about the union movement, its strengths, its weaknesses and its pivotal importance for America's middle class....“
AFSCME: “..."combines a strong narrative of the lives of union members with insightful analysis of American labor’s triumphs and recent struggles ......”
Washington Monthly: “..."Dine's book is provocative...a joint review with NYT Steven Greenhouse's book ......”
Boilermaker Reporter (current editon): “...who better to assess labor's decline and identify strategies for survival?......”
Sacramento News & Review: ”...read this book before you vote...if you’d like to understand where the jobs have gone, and why, and what can be done to stop the bleeding -- it’s worth reading Philip M. Dine’s analysis of what’s happened to unions in the last three decades...“
Reuters: “...a playbook for a comeback for organized labor at a time when many are ready to write off the American union movement as irrelevant and outdated.”
Union Review Blog Quotes from Workers: “...I recently had the opportunity to get this book. I must say that everything that I have read so far is simply amazing. I highly suggest this book... If you have a chance to get your hands on this, please do so....The forward by Gephardt and the prologue by Dine are worth the price of the whole book....It really is an inspiring book...it is fascinating about the Iowa Firefighters.”
American Prospect: “..a thoughtful work that gives readers hope that America's working class can regain the strength and respect they rightfully deserve.”
Mark Shields, syndicated columnist: “...a suberb new book...”
IBEW: “...A riveting portrait of the status of the labor movement...”
CWA: “..a highly touted book packed with colorful anecdotes and careful research...”
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: “...State of the Unions shatters conventional wisdom...”

See In the News for more Reviews.

Before Publication

Mike Wallace, CBS News: “Phil Dine tells a compelling tale – and he writes beautifully – of the decline, fall and potential rebirth of a powerful labor movement in the U.S.”

Linda Foley, President, The Newspaper Guild-CWA: “State of the Unions...is so well-written and entertaining, it beckons anyone who works for a living to bring it to the beach.”

Bernard DeLury, Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service under President George H.W. Bush: “The author enters areas few media professionals have ever even visited...in this astonishing new book...”

Spotlight

Teamster Magazine features the book in a Q&A with Phil Dine in the July/August edition. The magazine is sent to 1.5 million members. Chicago Public Radio airs interview on 9 AM CST on WBEZ 91.5 FM. Hear it live or listen and download an hour later on archives. Recent book talks include AFL-CIO headquarters and the National Labor Relations Board. And the count is up to 4 presidential candidates who've have read the book.