A History of the U.S. Labor Movement & Unions

For those who like the weekend, fair wages, the 40 hour work week (already seems unattainable!), and don't believe in child labor - a history of the fight. Seems like we are still having to work at it, since there are some that want to take these rights away. This is a non-fiction list - and I am open to recommendations!

đź’Ş
đź’µ
🕰️

created by emiliemartine

last updated July, 2026

12

Comments

Hi! I love this list, I've actually been wanting to learn more about this subject, so this helps me a lot! I was just wanted to doublecheck though and see if these were all nonfiction or if there were some fiction mixed in?

2

These are all non-fiction. I’ll clarify that in the description! I admit I haven’t read these - but recently started two of them, but wanted to explore more myself. (I am a union member).

3

Oo, good! I'll try to fit them into my reading schedule sometime soon! And we all do that👋🏻. I add books to my lists that I haven't read either👀

2

black coal and red bandanas by raymond tyler would be a great addition!

i love this list :)

2

Thank you so much! I will definitely add that!

1

eee yay, more books about labor history! I have some suggestions!

"Detroit: I Do Mind Dying: A Study in Urban Revolution" by Dan Georgakas and Marvin Surkin

"Solidarity Divided: The Crisis in Organized Labor and a New Path toward Social Justice" by Bill Fletcher Jr. and Fernando Gapasin

"Fresh Fruit, Broken Bodies: Migrant Farmworkers in the United States" by Seth Holmes

"Never Justice, Never Peace: Mother Jones and the Miner Rebellion at Paint and Cabin Creeks" by Ginny Savage Ayers and Lon Kelly Savage

"You Only Get What You're Organized to Take: Lessons from the Movement to End Poverty" by Liz Theoharis and Noam Sandweiss-Back

2

Wow, thanks! Those sound like great suggestions! I am definitely going to look into them and add them!

2