Reaction to the Book
State of the Unions is appearing in bookstores now, in mid-September 2007. Here is some pre-publication praise..
- U.S. Senator Evan Bayh
- “In State of the Unions, Phil Dine offers a compelling tale of the modern American labor movement. With shrewd political insight, he argues that while unions have and continue to face challenges, they aren't waning in power. Rather, they continue today as an effective, strong voice for American workers and an important constituency in the Democratic Party. Dine's account shows that the unions are still very much a key player in politics at all levels.”
- Donna Brazile, Political Commentator, CNN and ABC News
- “State of the Unions reinvigorates the argument for the need to rebuild the labor movement in the 21st century. Through a compelling mix of stories, Phil Dine gives an intriguing new perspective on labor's declining numbers and the ill effects for our country if we let this trend continue.”
- Hon. Jack Buechner (Retired, R-Mo.)
- “State of the Unions is not just the clearest evaluation of the US labor movement at the turn of this century, it is also a roadmap. If labor, union or not, makes the wrong turn Phil Dine will have simply been the canary in the mine shaft. If labor can find a way to energize and, in doing so, rebuild America's working-class, State of the Unions should be recognized for its contribution. Workers, management, politicos and all the other Americans searching for something lost but not forgotten need to read this book. Some Delta catfish and firehouse chili might just be the cuisine of a New America.”
- Congressman Bill Delahunt (D-Ma.)
- “State of the Unions highlights many of labor's greatest achievements, yet also painstakingly describes the current struggle that labor now finds itself mired in. During our history, the strength of organized labor has led to a growing American middle class that has been crucial to the vitality of our democracy. However, worker's rights in this country have been under assault and many worker protections that unions fought so hard to secure have disappeared. Philip Dine delves deep into labor's struggle to remain relevant in the face of lax enforcement of labor laws, trade deals sending jobs overseas, and the widening income gap that threatens the future health of our democracy.”
- Bernard DeLury, Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service under President George H.W. Bush and Assistant Secretary of Labor under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford
- “The author enters areas few media professionals have ever even visited. In this astonishing new book about labor values, union ownership, ethnic relations, community support, globalization, and open communications, Philip Dine shows how a strengthening of the labor movement can help preserve the American middle class. He also illuminates the American trade union movement's involvement in the spread of democracy during the Cold War even as he lays out a strategy for going forward.”
- Thomas R. Donahue, former President, AFL-CIO
- “State of the Unions is a fascinating tale of America's unions, and how and why they need to be heard in a time of growing gulfs between America's haves and have-nots. It's a lively read and should be of interest to people who either know a lot about — or nothing about — the trade union movement.”
- Sam Donaldson, Correspondent, ABC News
- “Why has organized labor suffered such a precipitous decline in recent years? Does it matter? And if it matters, what can be done to swing the pendulum back? Phil Dine provides answers to those questions and makes a compelling case — to borrow a sentiment expressed fifty years ago about General Motors — that ‘What's good for organized labor is good for the country!’”
- Linda Foley, President, The Newspaper Guild-CWA, Vice President, Communications Workers of America
- “Phil Dine has produced a must read for both union members and members of the press. State of Unions — with its keen observations and thoughtful conclusions — could be a primer for labor leaders and labor reporters. Except that it’s so well-written and entertaining, it beckons anyone who works for a living to bring it to the beach.
Dine humanizes America's labor movement with compelling stories about rank and file workers, such as the predominantly African-American women of Delta Pride in Mississippi and the politically active Firefighters for John Kerry in Iowa. He commingles those tales of struggle and challenge with colorful personal encounters involving union leaders from Jimmy Hoffa Jr. of the Teamsters to Al Shanker of the Teachers.”
- John J. Flynn, President, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
- “Phil Dine's book presents a compelling case for the critical role unions play in preserving the dignity of workers and the American way of life. State of the Unions is a must read for anyone concerned about the future of our country.”
- William B. Gould IV, Stanford Labor Law Professor, Chairman of the National Labor Relations Board in the Clinton Administration
- “State of the Unions is an insightful view of and commentary about what ails labor, where it is going, and where it might go in conjunction with sound policy. This is mandatory reading for all who want a hands-on practical assessment by a solid investigative reporter and observer of labor in our society.”
- Alexis Herman, 23rd U. S. Secretary of Labor
- “Phil Dine offers an insightful, riveting, reader-friendly examination of Organized Labor as it exists in today's political and economic climate.”
- Stephen Hess, Senior Fellow Emeritus, The Brookings Institution
- “Phil Dine on the labor movement is a must read in Washington.”
- Joseph J. Hunt, General President, International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers
- “In State of the Unions, Philip Dine challenges organized labor to respond to the business and political “forces arrayed against them” that work to undermine unions and workers. His words should be heeded if unions are to survive and grow into the 22nd century.”
- Richard Hurd, Professor of Labor Studies, Cornell University
- “In State of the Unions, Phil Dine offers critical yet sympathetic reflections on the contemporary U.S. labor movement. Based on his personal experiences as a labor reporter, he weaves together compelling tales of union success with biting commentary on labor's shortcomings. Most notably, Dine argues that unions should aggressively promote a message that champions the dignity of work while exposing growing income inequality and corporate excesses. State of the Unions should be of great interest to labor leaders, scholars and students, as well as citizens concerned about the future of our democracy.”
- Michael Isikoff, Author of Hubris: The Inside Story of Spin, Scandal and the Selling of the Iraq War
- “Philip Dine is a first-rate reporter whose book, State of the Unions, provides a penetrating look at what's happened to American workers — and how labor unions have failed them. It’s an important book on a subject that gets too little attention.”
- Senator Edward M. Kennedy(D-Ma.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
- “State of the Unions is an excellent, inspiring, and very readable analysis of the current struggles and past triumphs of the American labor movement. Long-time respected labor reporter Phil Dine makes a compelling case that a much stronger labor movement in the years ahead is indispensable for restoring fairness for working families and reducing the widening income gap that is threatening the American dream for so many millions of our families.”
- G. Neel Lattimore, former Press Secretary to First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton
- “When I read Phil Dine’s account of the largest strike by black works in Mississippi’s history, I was swept back to the summer of 1990 standing in cotton field in Indianola, Mississippi as hundreds for striking workers sang “We Shall Overcome.” The memory of the hardworking black women brings me to tears to this day when I recall their courage and determination to create a better life for their family and children. Phil Dine tells their story as no one else can. He too stood with me in that cotton field and proved once again that the pen is mightier than the sword.”
- Ralph G. Neas, President and CEO, People For the American Way
- “Philip Dine has written a provocative and riveting book on the current state of the labor movement. His analysis and recommendations should be robustly debated inside and outside the world of labor. All progressives should welcome such a debate. Indeed, the future of the social justice movement in this country depends, in so many ways, on rapidly growing and increasingly influential labor unions. Especially pertinent are Dine's observations regarding the communications challenges that face even the most effective unions.
If the labor movement and the progressive community at large are to prevail, we must strategically “frame the terms of the debate,” “define the issues from our perspective,” and “put a human face” on those issues. If we do, we can win the hearts and minds of the American people. If we fail, our right wing adversaries will turn back the clock on social justice for decades.”
- Norman Ornstein, Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute
- “Phil Dine combines personalized stories from his years covering labor issues with insightful analysis of the labor movement and its leaders, creating a lively and indispensable guide to the present and future of unions. Labor unions are misunderstood and hardly covered in today's news, but remain a key part of our politics and society. State of the Unions brings the people, the issues and the problems to life.”
- The Honorable Tom Ridge
- “The facts are uncontestable. The conclusions often controversial. The challenges historic. Phil Dine offers a compelling and provocative look at labor's role in the political, social and economic marketplace.”
- Hedrick Smith, Author, Rethinking America
- “Anyone interested in the fate of the American middle class in today's cut-throat global economy needs this book. Phil Dine shows how the decline of job security, retirement and health security, and safety at work for average Americans parallels the decline of trade unions. He presents a compelling case for why unions are essential to America's future and explains how labor's failure to communicate has cost it influence with the public, politicians and in the marketplace. This is a book rich with insights into our present predicament.”
- Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.)
- “Few topics are more important in defining today’s America than the links between the travails of the middle class and working people, the decline of the labor movement, and increasing economic inequality with all its political ramifications. State of the Unions does a masterful job of pointing out those links — and showing how labor can revitalize itself so it is in a position to tackle the problems.”
- 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.”
- John Calhoun Wells, Former Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, 1993-1998
- “Phil Dine has written a book worthy of attention and study by the labor movement, its friends, and, all those who care about social and economic issues in America today. It is a lament about the decline of labor and all that this means for workers, their families, and America. It is also a passionate plea for labor to do what is necessary to become again a strong and effective voice for working and middle class Americans. Importantly, it offers prescriptive ideas and practical strategies of how labor can reinvent itself and be a greater presence in the national dialogue. It, further, provides real world examples in which labor has done this in politics and organizing. These are models for the future. State of the Unions is an important book.”