Tools for Activists

The Union Steward’s Complete Guide, 2nd edition

The first edition of this book, published in 1997, quickly became the workplace bible for tens of thousands of stewards across North America. Fully illustrated and indexed, this second edition’s eleven chapters offer hands-on counsel on problems and concerns ranging from the basics of grievance handling to dealing with difficult supervisors or co-workers to ways of increasing membership involvement in the union. New material includes counsel on workplace concerns ranging from computer and privacy issues to a new chapter dealing with the changing workplace, including the growing number of workers from other nations and cultures. 404 pages paperback

Steward’s Pocket Reference & Diary

This handy pocket-sized reference booklet is packed with vital information and tools important to every steward. 130 pages paperback / sturdy leatherette cover

Inquire about discounts for multiple copies and about imprinting your union name on 100 copies or more.
Published by UCS, Inc.

The Whistlerblower’s Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Doing What’s Right and Protecting Yourself

This first-ever consumer guide to whistleblowing sets forth 21 basic rules every potential whistleblower needs to know in order to effect real change, protect your job and, frequently, win a monetary reward for stepping forward. 358 pages paperback

Just Cause: A Union Guide to Winning Discipline Cases

This new (2012) book by union attorney Robert M. Schwartz, author of the classic Legal Rights of Union Stewards and several other vital resources for union activists, is the first new look at union discipline principles in decades -- an invaluable new tool. 174 pages paperback

Union Steward Business Cards

Greet new employees with more than a handshake: present them with your own business card, establishing the union’s presence on the job and your own vital role in the workplace. Make sure long-time members have one for ready reference as well.

On the front of the sturdy two-color card is space for you to put all the contact information the member needs to call you or another union representative into action: Your name (and the union’s name), your phone number(s), the union office (or officer) numbers and the union’s website – local and/or national. On the other side of the card is the all-important Weingarten statement, so the member has immediate access to the proper response if threatened with potential disciplinary action.

Durable Card Stock

• 100 for 22.00 plus 3.00 shipping and handling
• 250 for 45.00 plus 3.00 shipping and handling

From First Contact to First Contract: A Union Organizer’s Handbook

This is a no-nonsense tool from veteran labor organizer and educator Bill Barry. He looks to his own vast experience to document and help organizers through all the stages of a unionization campaign, from how to get it off the ground to how to bring it home with a signed contract and a strong bargaining unit. 129 pages paperback

Inquire about quantity discounts.

Organizing for Social Change, 4th edition

Now in its fourth edition, with updates reflecting changes in contexts and technologies, this is an organizer’s Bible: a comprehensive, real-world tool for organizers of all stripes determined to create attention and affect change. 426 pages paperback

Understanding the Railway Labor Act

The title of this book says it all. Wilner is the ultimate authority on labor-management relations in the railroad industry. His latest book is incredibly helpful to those seeking to learn more about rail labor history, the mechanics of rail labor law, and how railroads and their multiple unions bargain collectively under the RLA's provisions. It is hugely helpful as well to those familiar with the RLA but seeking a reference work providing greater detail on the law's provisions and how they impact negotiations at the national and local levels. 264 pages paperback

Power in Coalition: Strategies for Strong Unions and Social Change

The labor movement sees coalitions as a key tool for union revitalization and social change, but there is little analysis of what makes them successful or the factors that make them fail. Amanda Tattersall—an organizer and labor scholar—addresses this gap in the first internationally comparative study of coalitions between unions and community organizations. 209 pages paperback

Fundamentals of Labor Arbitration

A valuable resource, Fundamentals of Labor Arbitration is a great introduction to the way disputes in the labor-management setting are dealt with under collective bargaining agreements and statutes. It is particularly helpful to unionists at all levels who need to understand how this important process works. 176 pages paperback

Robert’s Rules of Order in Brief, 2nd edition

This is a newly-updated handbook containing everything you need to know about chairing – and participating in – a meeting. It is published in cooperation with the people behind the official Robert’s Rules, so it’s the real thing. Handy tables offer quick help during a meeting—you can quickly scan a page and understand how to make your next move. It covers everything you need, even a complete description of your rights and responsibilities as a convention delegate and a comprehensive chapter on frequently asked questions. 197 pages paperback

The Steward’s Toolbox

The Steward’s Toolbox, published in 2012, brings labor activists practical advice to succeed in the day to day work of building an active, democratic union. Full of concrete examples, it’s written by shop floor leaders committed to building the movement from the grassroots. Their lessons will help you inspire members, make new allies, and kick-start your union. 236 pages paperback

Effective Grievance Resolution (DVD)

This is a well done, 45-minute DVD showing the processing of a grievance, focusing on the steward-supervisor exchange. One DVD, Plus 16 page Instructional Booklet

Published by UCS Inc.

The Union Member’s Complete Guide: Everything You Want – and Need – to Know About Working Union

An easy-to-read, thorough explanation of what unions are, how they work, and the rights and responsibilities of membership. Countless workers today became union members only because they took jobs in previously organized workplaces and have little understanding of how unions work. This book gives them that basic understanding and answers bedrock questions about such things as the structure of the labor movement, how contracts are negotiated, the grievance process, core labor laws, their union’s role in their community and a whole lot more. 150 pages paperback

Just Cause: The Seven Tests, 3rd edition

In this classic work, actual and hypothetical examples reveal how arbitrators interpret and decide workplace disputes. 560 pages hardcover

I Just Got Elected – Now What? A New Union Officer’s Handbook (ePub)

By Bill Barry

This is an aggressive guide to building a strong and effective local union. Don’t buy this book if your goal is simply to be a local union officer like "Old Joe" was before you, doing things the way they’ve always been done and skating by as things just bump along. That, the author says, is what has weakened unions and made them less the force than they once were, and can be again. Rather than one or maybe a handful of officers running your local from the top, Barry says, you’ve got to educate and involve your members at every level, using the organizing model of unionism – and he shows you how to do it.

Published by UCS, Inc. Also available in paperback

I Just Got Elected – Now What? A New Union Officer’s Handbook (Kindle)

By Bill Barry

This is an aggressive guide to building a strong and effective local union. Don’t buy this book if your goal is simply to be a local union officer like "Old Joe" was before you, doing things the way they’ve always been done and skating by as things just bump along. That, the author says, is what has weakened unions and made them less the force than they once were, and can be again. Rather than one or maybe a handful of officers running your local from the top, Barry says, you’ve got to educate and involve your members at every level, using the organizing model of unionism – and he shows you how to do it.

Published by UCS, Inc. Also available in paperback

I Just Got Elected – Now What? A New Union Officer’s Handbook (paperback)

This is an aggressive guide to building a strong and effective local union. Don’t buy this book if your goal is simply to be a local union officer like "Old Joe" was before you, doing things the way they’ve always been done and skating by as things just bump along. That, the author says, is what has weakened unions and made them less the force than they once were, and can be again. Rather than one or maybe a handful of officers running your local from the top, Barry says, you’ve got to educate and involve your members at every level, using the organizing model of unionism – and he shows you how to do it. 53 pages paperback

Published by UCS, Inc. Also available as an eBook

Grievance Guide, 13th edition

Unions can plan their cases with added perspective with the help of this book, which presents and discusses the rulings of arbitrators in typical cases. 676 pages paperback

A Troublemaker’s Handbook 2: How to Fight Back Where You Work, and Win!

This workplace-strategies manual covers all the how-tos, from agitating for better conditions to walking out. Shop floor actions, organizing new members, winning good contracts, fighting outsourcing, creating a website, dealing with the media, building community alliances, running for office -- and running the local once you win -- international solidarity, bargaining tips, corporate campaigns, researching employers -- all these activities, and more. 372 pages paperback