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On the Job: The Untold Story of America's Work Centers and the New Fight for Wages, Dignity, and Health
The inspiring story of worker centers that are cropping up across the country and leading the fight for today's workers
For over 60 million people, work in America has been a story of declining wages, insecurity, and unsafe conditions, especially amid the coronavirus epidemic. This new and troubling reality has galvanized media and policymakers, but all the while a different and little-known story of rebirth and struggle has percolated just below the surface.
On the Job is the first account of a new kind of labor movement, one that is happening locally, quietly, and among our country's most vulnerable--but essential--workers. Noted public health expert Celeste Monforton and award-winning journalist Jane M. Von Bergen crisscrossed the country, speaking with workers of all backgrounds and uncovering the stories of hundreds of new, worker-led organizations (often simply called worker centers) that have successfully achieved higher wages, safer working conditions and on-the-job dignity for their members.
On the Job describes ordinary people finding their voice and challenging power: from housekeepers in Chicago and Houston; to poultry workers in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and Springdale, Arkansas; and construction workers across the state of Texas. An inspiring book for dark times, On the Job reveals that labor activism is actually alive and growing--and holds the key to a different future for all working people.
For over 60 million people, work in America has been a story of declining wages, insecurity, and unsafe conditions, especially amid the coronavirus epidemic. This new and troubling reality has galvanized media and policymakers, but all the while a different and little-known story of rebirth and struggle has percolated just below the surface.
On the Job is the first account of a new kind of labor movement, one that is happening locally, quietly, and among our country's most vulnerable--but essential--workers. Noted public health expert Celeste Monforton and award-winning journalist Jane M. Von Bergen crisscrossed the country, speaking with workers of all backgrounds and uncovering the stories of hundreds of new, worker-led organizations (often simply called worker centers) that have successfully achieved higher wages, safer working conditions and on-the-job dignity for their members.
On the Job describes ordinary people finding their voice and challenging power: from housekeepers in Chicago and Houston; to poultry workers in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and Springdale, Arkansas; and construction workers across the state of Texas. An inspiring book for dark times, On the Job reveals that labor activism is actually alive and growing--and holds the key to a different future for all working people.
- GenresNonfictionLabor
288 pages, Hardcover
First published May 4, 2021
2 people are currently reading
784 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 5, 2021
A comprehensive, readable introduction to workers' centers, a new concept in providing employees with protection from unscrupulous employers and illegal workplace practices. The authors mix a wealth of data with stories from workers across the country along with descriptions of the many worker's centers. I hope the movement expands and becomes more widely known.
August 2, 2024
The topic area is very important, but the book was very repetitive. I think it would have worked better as a series of essays versus a singular book. I shouldn't get bored reading about a topic so important.
January 29, 2022
Actually cowritten by Jane Von Bergen. Must read for anyone interested in wage equality, rights on the job, immigrant rights, and the new waves and forms of organizing going on today.
May 8, 2024
Informative and important.
February 8, 2025
Lots of important work going on.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews