In important ways, the Ravenswood strike illustrates the difficulties facing US workers as economic forces transform traditional employment patterns and relationships. The authors contend that unions remain a viable means of effective collective action. They depict in compelling detail the courage and intelligence of Ravenswood workers, whose efforts signaled a new vitality in the labor movement. . . For anyone with an interest in labor issues, this book is a valuable account of a significant union victory.-Choice. January, 2000
Juravich and Bronfenbrenner analyze a little-noted labor victory that may turn out to have been more significant in revitalizing a flagging labor movement than the 1997 Teamsters' strike against UPS. . . Most important, Ravenswood illustrates the consequenses that result when financial consultants and corporate raiders take over companies and move to slash costs.-David Rouse, Booklist. July 1999.
The book succeeds remarkably well. . . . I highly recommend the book to labor educators, union activists, and others interested in seeing how American unions have adapted to changing corporate structures and the dramatic decline in their ability to exert economic pressure using the traditional strike weapon.-Jeffrey B. Arthur, Assistant Professor of Management, Fairfield University. Industrial and Labor Relations Review. July 2000.
Unionists seeking a manual on how to run a strategic contract campaign should read this page-turner about the steelworkers' struggle against Ravenswood Aluminum Co. . . .The authors vividly capture every step of their difficult but intrepid and inspiring struggle, which marked a turning point in labor's revival after years of setbacks.-Molly Charboneau, AFSCME DC37 Newspaper
Global capital rules today; thanks to Ravenswood, workers can learn sophisticated tactics to face distant owners. This book is a key tool for a revived and effective labor movement and shows that all the components outlined combine to make effective union campaigns.-Mike Matejka, Union News. December, 1999.
Ravenswood is the story of 'permanently replaced' aluminum workers who pushed themselves. . . to the limit to save their way of life. It is well worth reading.-David Keene II, The Federal Lawyer. November/December, 1999.
The epic struggle and ultimate victory of the Steelworkers at Ravenswood proves that determined workers and their union can overcome the entrenched, bitter resistance of a rich, global corporate empire. Workers everywhere are indebted to Kate Bronfenbrenner and Tom Juravich for recounting this story of hope in such a compelling and human fashion.-George Becker, President, United Steelworkers of America
This record of the struggle and victory of Ravenswood workers and their community is exciting and inspiring, a marvelous account of courage and solidarity. It is also highly instructive. As the authors vividly show, the imaginative techniques that were devised to overcome the lockout yield many lessons for working people and unions in the face of 'new powerful yet diffuse corporate structures,' and socioeconomic policies that enhance their power.-Noam Chomsky
Tom Juravich and Kate Bronfenbrenner have blended these workers' voices with a razor-sharp analysis of the winning strategy at Ravenswood-the result is both compelling and useful. As today's workplaces are rapidly downsized and globalized, it is more important than ever that the Labor Movement understand our victories in order to replicate them.-John Sweeney, President, AFL-CIO
