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Playing Against the House: The Dramatic World of an Undercover Union Organizer
In the tradition of Barbara Ehrenreich’s classic Nickel and Dimed , a talented young journalist goes undercover as a casino labor-union organizer in this rare inside look at the ongoing struggle of hourly-wage service workers to survive in America.
“Salting” is a simple concept—get hired at a non-union company, do the job you were hired to do, and, with the help of organizers on the outside, unionize your coworkers from the inside. James Walsh spent two years as a “salt” in two casinos in South Florida, working as a buffet server and a bartender. Neither his employers nor the union knew of Walsh’s intentions to write about his experience. Now he reveals hard-won and little-known truths about how unions fight to organize service workers, the vigorous corporate opposition against them, and how workers get caught in the middle.
As a salt, Walsh witnessed the cultish nature of labor organization and was constantly grilled by his union organizer as to whether he had enough grit and determination to win converts to the cause while remaining undercover. At work, Walsh witnessed the oddities of casino life and management’s stunning mistreatment of service industry employees, most of whom were hanging on to economic survival by their fingernails. His meticulous reporting reveals supervisors berating workers for the smallest infractions, even as employees submit to relentless scrutiny, ever-changing work schedules, and the callous behavior of casino customers.
A clear-eyed and balanced account, Playing Against the House explores the trials of day-to-day life for the working poor and the face of twenty-first-century union organizing and union busting in unprecedented detail.
“Salting” is a simple concept—get hired at a non-union company, do the job you were hired to do, and, with the help of organizers on the outside, unionize your coworkers from the inside. James Walsh spent two years as a “salt” in two casinos in South Florida, working as a buffet server and a bartender. Neither his employers nor the union knew of Walsh’s intentions to write about his experience. Now he reveals hard-won and little-known truths about how unions fight to organize service workers, the vigorous corporate opposition against them, and how workers get caught in the middle.
As a salt, Walsh witnessed the cultish nature of labor organization and was constantly grilled by his union organizer as to whether he had enough grit and determination to win converts to the cause while remaining undercover. At work, Walsh witnessed the oddities of casino life and management’s stunning mistreatment of service industry employees, most of whom were hanging on to economic survival by their fingernails. His meticulous reporting reveals supervisors berating workers for the smallest infractions, even as employees submit to relentless scrutiny, ever-changing work schedules, and the callous behavior of casino customers.
A clear-eyed and balanced account, Playing Against the House explores the trials of day-to-day life for the working poor and the face of twenty-first-century union organizing and union busting in unprecedented detail.
- GenresNonfictionMemoirLabor
288 pages, Hardcover
First published February 16, 2016
12 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 22, 2016
Trade unions have historically done good, essential work for workers. Opinions can vary between many about their need or effectiveness in today’s society. This is before you look at different attitudes towards trade union membership and activity in different countries around the world. No matter your view on the matter, this book was an interesting look at attempts to get trade union recognition and membership within U.S. companies operating in sectors that were often quite anti-union, showing how trade unions seek to establish a presence.
It feels strange, with a western European mindset, that in the 21st century unions are needing to sneak about in the shadows to try and get members and be recognised in the workplace. This reviewer could hardly be described as a union activist and can be quite critical towards the activities of many unions, yet the fundamental right to organise representation for workers should be a given. In many European countries trade union activities is protected by law and companies have to subsidise the union activities in terms of facilities, access to workers, giving paid time to union officials who are employed by the company and so forth. Reading how things can be in the United States - hardly a backward, uncivilised country - can be quite shocking in contrast.
The book is written in a narrative, matter-of-fact style, explaining about how the author sought employment within a casino that was overtly non-union in nature, to do the job they were hired for whilst “salting”, seeking to unionise co-workers from within without drawing attention to management who may be very quick to terminate your employment. Credit must be given for the author having the right balance in his writing, so it is not campaigning or pointing out the unfairness of the situation directly. It lets the situation speak for itself and the reader forms their own impressions.
It was a fascinating, eye-opening read. Of course, when you think about it, it is clear that unions will try and get members and gain acceptance in places where they are not necessarily welcome in. However, the way in which many are forced to go about it was entirely new to this reviewer so engaging it is no cliché to say that this book was hard to put down.
It feels strange, with a western European mindset, that in the 21st century unions are needing to sneak about in the shadows to try and get members and be recognised in the workplace. This reviewer could hardly be described as a union activist and can be quite critical towards the activities of many unions, yet the fundamental right to organise representation for workers should be a given. In many European countries trade union activities is protected by law and companies have to subsidise the union activities in terms of facilities, access to workers, giving paid time to union officials who are employed by the company and so forth. Reading how things can be in the United States - hardly a backward, uncivilised country - can be quite shocking in contrast.
The book is written in a narrative, matter-of-fact style, explaining about how the author sought employment within a casino that was overtly non-union in nature, to do the job they were hired for whilst “salting”, seeking to unionise co-workers from within without drawing attention to management who may be very quick to terminate your employment. Credit must be given for the author having the right balance in his writing, so it is not campaigning or pointing out the unfairness of the situation directly. It lets the situation speak for itself and the reader forms their own impressions.
It was a fascinating, eye-opening read. Of course, when you think about it, it is clear that unions will try and get members and gain acceptance in places where they are not necessarily welcome in. However, the way in which many are forced to go about it was entirely new to this reviewer so engaging it is no cliché to say that this book was hard to put down.
June 15, 2016
Walsh’s book is a blessing and a curse. It is a window into the tireless, admirable work of union organizing, the shocking situation of so many working poor, the venality and duplicity of management and owners. I hope many young, idealistic people read this and grow the labor movement. Yet the book is cursed since it will be read by management and anti-labor lawyers who will learn valuable tricks of the trade, rendering workplaces more policed, atomized and unorganizable. Walsh worked as a “salt”—an undercover union organizer in several casinos. This book will make you pro-union as it documents the injustices great and small of the working poor. “I had come to Florida looking for a story about young radicals, college grads making trouble in the service industry. Instead, I found a story about the marrow of American inequality, women—most of them black, immigrants, or the children of immigrants—who have spent years sacrificing for the benefit of executives, shareholders, and consumers.”
February 26, 2018
Sometimes you don't need to be a great writer. Sometimes all it takes is a great idea.
It's hard not admire James Walsh's ambition in deciding to go undercover as a salt in a Miami casino -- someone who takes a job a non-union workplace in order to help unionize it -- and write about his experience. While his unseasoned, naive style shows through in glaring ways throughout the book -- overlong descriptions, irrelevant historical digression, overwrought and cliched metaphor -- the book itself is an enjoyable and important read.
The story of the reemerging Left is, in many ways, the story of reemerging Labor movement. A movement that once had great strength, unions have been systematically destroyed in America and recent generations have met the attack on labor with a collective shrug. All that seems to have changed in the aftermath of Occupy, Fight for 15, the Bernie Sanders campaign, and the election of one of the most Labor hostile Presidents in history. Suddenly, among millennials and Gen Z, organizing is sexy again.
Walsh captures this moment extremely well here because he is one of the new Left. Highly educated, painfully self-aware, a tad idealistic, and eager to make a difference, Walsh is something of a millennial poster child. There is a new energy in organizing. Unions are cool again. There is a feeling that the Left is poised to really gain something. And while Walsh, and we, must reckon with past failures and prepare the battles that lay ahead, these are exciting times.
Just as Walsh eventually has to work through the initial excitement and sense of purpose he gets from salting and learn to truly identify with and engage in the struggle of the workers fighting for their livelihood, the next step for the Left is using this recent burst of energy and excitement -- the newfound coolness of the movement -- to build something that could change life in America.
Sure, Walsh's writing can be clumsy and a bit precious, but it feels strangely appropriate to an audience of his generational peers who also clumsily and preciously trying to build a better world.
It's hard not admire James Walsh's ambition in deciding to go undercover as a salt in a Miami casino -- someone who takes a job a non-union workplace in order to help unionize it -- and write about his experience. While his unseasoned, naive style shows through in glaring ways throughout the book -- overlong descriptions, irrelevant historical digression, overwrought and cliched metaphor -- the book itself is an enjoyable and important read.
The story of the reemerging Left is, in many ways, the story of reemerging Labor movement. A movement that once had great strength, unions have been systematically destroyed in America and recent generations have met the attack on labor with a collective shrug. All that seems to have changed in the aftermath of Occupy, Fight for 15, the Bernie Sanders campaign, and the election of one of the most Labor hostile Presidents in history. Suddenly, among millennials and Gen Z, organizing is sexy again.
Walsh captures this moment extremely well here because he is one of the new Left. Highly educated, painfully self-aware, a tad idealistic, and eager to make a difference, Walsh is something of a millennial poster child. There is a new energy in organizing. Unions are cool again. There is a feeling that the Left is poised to really gain something. And while Walsh, and we, must reckon with past failures and prepare the battles that lay ahead, these are exciting times.
Just as Walsh eventually has to work through the initial excitement and sense of purpose he gets from salting and learn to truly identify with and engage in the struggle of the workers fighting for their livelihood, the next step for the Left is using this recent burst of energy and excitement -- the newfound coolness of the movement -- to build something that could change life in America.
Sure, Walsh's writing can be clumsy and a bit precious, but it feels strangely appropriate to an audience of his generational peers who also clumsily and preciously trying to build a better world.
February 2, 2020
Truly an inspiring and sobering account of passionate efforts to unionize Miami casino workers in the 2010s. This not-uncritical look at contemporary labor organizing removes the veil from the secretive and controversial work of union "salts," individuals who gain employment at a non-union company for the chief purpose of organizing their workforce. Walsh clearly explains the struggle in Miami in the context of the death by a million cuts of the labor movement in America.
Twentieth century labor laws (like a minimum wage and anti-discrimination laws) helped secure some worker benefits and protections once granted only to union employees. Still, Walsh argues that as the service industry in particular continues to grow, compensation schemes fall short of expectations, and as substandard health insurance plans bankrupt hardworking families, the battle for respect is still worth fighting under a union banner.
Twentieth century labor laws (like a minimum wage and anti-discrimination laws) helped secure some worker benefits and protections once granted only to union employees. Still, Walsh argues that as the service industry in particular continues to grow, compensation schemes fall short of expectations, and as substandard health insurance plans bankrupt hardworking families, the battle for respect is still worth fighting under a union banner.
May 8, 2018
While I might question the ethics of James Walsh's undercover work as a union salt, I was intrigued by this story and felt like he did his best to be fair to those he deceived in order to get it. I'd be interested to know how it's been received by Unite Here staffers and organizers. At any rate, Playing Against the House is an informative look at the unique challenges facing not only casino workers in Florida but the America labor movement as a whole.
July 29, 2024
This was a very interesting read, though depressing. Seeing the inner workings of an attempt to unionize in an unfriendly environment was fascinating. Reading about the workers who were leaders and the impacts on their lives was heart-breaking. The way corporations fight against union efforts is awful.
November 24, 2024
I was given a list of books to read for a labor relations course. I really enjoyed this one. I selected it because I am heavily pro-union and wanted to understand the challenges of unionizing. I left feeling fulfilled by the quality of the book’s ability to show everything that goes on behind the scenes and demoralized at how much work is required to make marginal progress.
March 20, 2023
An intense, roller coaster of a book about “salting the salts”. A riveting read inside the world of salting for Unite Here! It’s definitely a double-edged sword but are the tactics worth it? It’s worth reading to make your own decision!
January 7, 2024
The first book I've been afraid to read on my break at work.
Interesting to read nuts and bolts account of union organizing and how it fails because of the lack of an overall union culture too many places.
Interesting to read nuts and bolts account of union organizing and how it fails because of the lack of an overall union culture too many places.
July 4, 2018
Couldn’t put this book down, riveting and ultimately heartbreaking and infuriating. Oh, and this week the Supreme Court handed down their anti-union Janus decision.
October 9, 2021
Such an awesome book, really makes you feel present in the room and tells the story of a field of organizing we rarely get to read about
March 2, 2016
A wonderful book exposing the lengths that organizations will go to in fighting a unionization effort. This book is an amateur ethnography with the author spending about 2 years of his life working in the food and beverage industry in South Florida casinos in an effort to promote unionization. The book has some real insights into the daily struggles of these service workers as well as a good take on contemporary unionization efforts.
I read the book in just a couple of days. It's well-written and reads almost like a page-turner mystery novel.
I read the book in just a couple of days. It's well-written and reads almost like a page-turner mystery novel.
April 25, 2016
Interesting look at how unions organize. The author's commitment to his cause, working undercover, is admirable.
March 8, 2016
An essential read to fully understand labor in America.
January 16, 2017
A great page turner about union organizing in the US. Loved this book!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews