Labor's Giant Step

Labor's Giant Step chronicles the rise of industrial unions in America from 1929 through 1955. The book documents key labor struggles including the Minneapolis Teamsters strikes, the Toledo Auto-Lite strike, and the formation of the CIO. Art Preis writes from his perspective as both a historian and participant in the labor movement, having been involved in unions and workers' causes during this period. The narrative covers the major strikes, negotiations, political battles and internal union conflicts that shaped organized labor in the mid-20th century. The text includes extensive primary source material, with excerpts from union documents, contemporary news reports, and first-hand accounts from workers and organizers. The focus remains on specific events and actions rather than broad theoretical analysis. The book serves as both a historical record and an examination of how organized labor transformed American society through direct action and mass movements. Its detailed account of strikes and organizing drives illustrates the role of rank-and-file workers in advancing labor rights.

Readers describe this as a detailed account of the CIO labor movement from a participant's perspective. The book documents strikes, organizing efforts, and internal union politics between 1929-1955. Readers appreciate: - First-hand accounts and primary source material - Documentation of specific tactics used by organizers - Coverage of less-known labor actions and conflicts - Focus on rank-and-file workers rather than just union leadership Common criticisms: - Writing can be dry and academic at times - Perspective seen as too sympathetic to Trotskyist positions - Some events lack broader historical context Ratings: Goodreads: 4.29/5 (14 ratings) Amazon: Not enough reviews for rating A reader on Goodreads notes: "Invaluable resource on the rise of industrial unionism in the US. The level of detail and documentation is impressive." Limited number of online reviews available, as this is a specialized labor history text primarily used in academic settings.

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🔸 Author Art Preis was not just a writer but an active participant in the labor movement, serving as a labor organizer and editor of The Militant newspaper from 1940-1963. 🔸 The book provides one of the most detailed accounts of the 1934 Minneapolis Teamsters Strike, which was a turning point in American labor history and helped establish the Teamsters as a powerful nationwide union. 🔸 Published in 1964, the book spans the crucial period from the rise of the CIO in the 1930s through the merger with the AFL in 1955, documenting one of the most transformative eras in U.S. labor history. 🔸 The work is considered unique among labor histories because it was written from the perspective of a Trotskyist activist, offering insights into the role of radical politics in the American labor movement. 🔸 Labor's Giant Step was one of the first comprehensive histories to detail the impact of the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947, which significantly restricted union activities and changed the landscape of American labor relations.