In early 2011, the nation was stunned to watch Wisconsin's

In early 2011, the nation was stunned to watch Wisconsin's

state capitol in Madison come under sudden and unexpected

occupation by union members and their allies. The protests

to defend collective bargaining rights were militant and practically

unheard of in this era of declining union power. Nearly

forty years of neoliberalism and the most severe economic

crisis since the Great Depression have battered the labor

movement, and workers have been largely complacent in the

face of stagnant wages, slashed benefits and services, widening

unemployment, and growing inequality.

That is, until now. Under pressure from a union-busting governor

and his supporters in the legislature, and inspired by the

massive uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, workers in Wisconsin

shook the nation with their colossal display of solidarity and

outrage. Their struggle is still ongoing, but there are lessons

to be learned from the Wisconsin revolt. This timely book

brings together some of the best labor journalists and scholars

in the United States, many of whom were on the ground

at the time, to examine the causes and impact of events, and

suggest how the labor movement might proceed in this new

era of union militancy.