Jobs with Justice

Overview

An oral history of one of the most successful grassroots labor organizations of the U.S.

Through a series of interviews and essays, this compendium gives voice to the community, labor, immigrant, student, and faith activists that have built Jobs with Justice (JwJ). The book speaks on both the core principles of the organization for workers’ rights and the experiences since its founding in 1987. Though the discussion reflects on the last 25 years of the JwJ coalition, it also looks openly and optimistically at the next 25. It includes the perspectives of longtime national leaders, like founder Larry Cohen, newcomers like Ai-Jen Poo of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, and the locally based, working-class men and women who have built JwJ from the ground up.

Reviews

"Jobs with Justice . . . is a moving and insightful tribute to a project and movement that has represented the soul of organized labor in the U.S.A. The stories contained in this volume reach beyond traditional organized labor and touch upon all those concerned with building a true movement for economic and social justice of which organized labor must be part. The determination that comes through in the stories, often in the face of significant challenges imposed on working people and their organizations, leads one to wish to shout: Yes, it can be done! Si se puede!"  —Bill Fletcher, Jr., author, "They're Bankrupting Us!": And 20 Other Myths about Unions

"Jobs With Justice: 25 Years, 25 Voices uses oral history to trace JwJ’s development as a singularly effective vehicle for uniting workers, their unions, and non-labor allies." —Steve Early, Popular Resistance

"The book describes campaigns ranging from strikes and union organizing drives to health care, living wage, and anti-discrimination efforts, where JwJ has played a pivotal role in winning." —Mark Vorpahl, Labor Notes

"This is a wonderful beginning on preparing any reader for the story of labor in the 21st century." —Paul Buhle, LAWCHA

"Jobs with Justice is an inspiring reminder of where we've been and a look ahead to where we need to go." —Debra Kidney, Labor Studies Journal

"Jobs with Justice: 25 Years, 25 Voices is an inspiring reminder of where we've been and a look ahead to where we need to go." —Debra W. Kidney, Labor Studies Journal

Author Biography

Eric Larson is a lecturer of history and literature at Harvard University. He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Larry Cohen is the president of the Communications Workers of America and the Jobs with Justice founder. He lives in Washington, DC. Rev. Calvin Morris, PhD, is a member of the Jobs with Justice National Board of Directors and the former executive director of the Community Renewal Society in Chicago. He lives in Chicago. Sarita Gupta is the executive director of Jobs with Justice. She lives in Washington, DC.