Harry Van Arsdale Jr.: Labors Champion by Gene Ruffini, and with
a foreword by Theodore Kheel, traces Van Arsdales rapid rise to
leadership of Local 3 during the 1930s, and the many battles he
fought to improve the lives of union members during his colorful
60-plus year career, which included serving as International Treasurer
of the IBEW from 1968-78.
The book details the extraordinary innovations in working conditions
that Van Arsdale introducedhis successful fight for shorter workdays
during the Great Depression in order to give more members a chance
to work; his campaign to establish the first pension plan for construction
workers in the United States; his battles for paid vacations, paid
holidays, annuity plans, subsidized union housing, educational benefits
for workers and scholarships for their childrenall revolutionary
concepts when first proposed that are now largely taken for granted.
The author shows how Van Arsdale achieved these gains by pioneering
a unique alliance with managementthe Joint Industry Board of the
Electrical Industry of New York Citya model that has been copied
by other labor organizations around the world. And he follows Van
Arsdales widening influence as a city-wide mediator and troubleshooter
after he became president of the New York City Central Labor Council
in 1957a position in which presidents, senators, governors and
mayors, as well as civil rights leaders and other union heads, recognized
his integrity and sought his counsel.
Published in cooperation with the Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Memorial
Association, Harry Van Arsdale Jr.: Labors Champion is a story
filled with remarkable accomplishments. It is a fitting tribute
to this great leader whose single-minded and selfless devotion to
American workers and their families inspired both labor and management
to accomplish things that neither thought possible.1
Special prepublication price: $15.95,
plus $4.00 shipping and handling,
until November 30.
Regular retail price will be $29.95
Available from:
M.E. Sharpe, Inc, 80 Business Park Drive,
Armonk, NY 10504
800-541-6563 or 914-273-1800
Fax 914-273-2106
www.mesharpe.com
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