Historical Dictionary of Organized Labor

Contrary to popular belief, organized labor is not dying although its membership has declined in most Western economies. The world membership of organized labor has increased 40 percent since 1980, mainly in Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia boosting the global union membership from 140 to 166 million between 1995 and 2001. With 16 million union members, the United States has the second largest number of union members of any country in the world after the Russian Federation. This new edition captures the dynamism of this fascinating, complex subject and makes it accessible to any interested researcher. Containing 400 entries that cover organized labor in countries around the world, an up-to-date chronology, and an extensive bibliography arranged by subject, this dictionary provides an excellent source for these historical study of organized labor. Notable revised and new material include: Statistical appendix, Guide to relevant Internet sites, Glossary of terms, Summary list of past and present international labor leaders, Lists of global union federations and the affiliated organizations of major national labor federations, Analytical lists of the membership of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions. An essential reference for students and scholars, this work will also be of interest to labor economists, lawyers, sociologists, human rights activists, and historians.