Immigrants, Unions, And The New U.s. Labor Market

In recent years, New Yorkers have been surprised to see workers they had taken for granted-Mexicans in greengroceries, West African supermarket deliverymen and South Asian blackcar drivers-striking, picketing and asking their support for better working conditions. Before their eyes the economy of New York, and the nation, had changed as businesses became dependent on low-paid immigrants to fill the entry-level jobs that few native-born Americans would take. Parallel Unionism tells the story of these workers' struggle for equality and respect, how they came to find the courage to organize labor actions at a time when most laborers have become quiescent, and while most labor unions were ignoring them. Showing how unions can learn from the example of these laborers, and demonstrating the importance of solidarity beyond the workplace, the book offers a telling look into the lives of some of America's newest immigrants.

Immanuel Ness is Professor of Political Science at Brooklyn College - City University of New York.