State of the Union: A Century of American Labor by Nelson Lichtenstein is a comprehensive exploration of organized labor's evolution throughout the twentieth century. The book chronicles the rise of the labor movement, beginning with the establishment of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) in 1935, and its significant victories in the 1930s, including recognition of the United Auto Workers by General Motors. Lichtenstein identifies key factors contributing to the decline of union representation—from nearly 28% in the 1980s to under 16% today. He discusses the impact of regulatory changes, the limitations imposed by the Taft-Hartley Act, and the CIO's diminished ideological vision. Despite some unions successfully engaging with civil rights, many, like the AFL-CIO, became stagnant under conservative leadership, leading to disillusionment among younger activists. Lichtenstein illustrates how anti-union policies, particularly under Presidents Reagan and Clinton, further weakened organized labor, providing a well-reasoned narrative on the challenges and transformations within the movement.
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