The Revitilization of Organized Labor in Youngstown

Abstract

[Excerpt] From the Little Steel strikes of the 1930's to the industrial strike at General Motor's Lordstown complex in the early 1970's, organized labor in the Youngstown area has been a force to be reckoned with in its efforts to protect its membership and improve the quality of life of working people. Yet, throughout the late 1960's and 1970's, the labor community increasingly suffered the ill-effects of business unionism. Business unionism's preoccupation with economism and sectionalism caused the local labor movement to narrow its social focus and to become increasingly fragmented, insular and directionless. These inherent weaknesses became painfully obvious as corporate America systematically disinvested in the Youngstown area.