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Tom Price, The Dispatcher, International Longshore and Warehouse Union, March 2005

A TROUBLEMAKER'S HANDBOOK

By Tom Price, Assistant Editor, The Dispatcher

Workers everywhere face challenges on the job and often feel isolated, outnumbered and powerless. But help is on the way in the form of a book called A Troublemaker's Handbook 2, published by Labor Notes.

Since the first edition appeared in 1991 the book has grown into a 372-page manual of strategies for worker empowerment. More than 70 workers contributed writings on organizing, legal rights and generalized boss butt-kicking.

For union workers the book gives advice from fellow workers on getting involved with the union and making it more democratic. For business agents and stewards there’s advice on how to more effectively represent members. For the vast army of non-union workers there’s advice on how to empower the workers and use the law to get organized.

International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1422 President Ken Riley had this to say: “It’s because of strategies like the ones in this book that our local won our fight to defend the Charleston Five,” he said. “International solidarity, getting in touch with other locals, dealing with the media, bringing the community into the union hall—it’s all in this book. I’m proud that our local was chosen to represent some of the examples. If you read it and implement it, maybe your local will be in the next edition!”