Publications

Appendix D: A Union Leader's Bookshelf (and Other Resources)

Publications

AFSCME officers and executive board members will find the publications listed below helpful in their work. Items are available on the AFSCME website (www.afscme.org) unless otherwise noted.

  • AFSCME International Constitution
  • Your local’s (or chapter) constitution (available from your council or affiliate)
  • Steward Handbook
  • AFSCME Financial Standards Code
  • AFSCME Local Union Election Manual
  • Building Power in the Workplace: The AFSCME Internal Organizing Manual
  • Fighting for the Rights of Employees with Disabilities: An AFSCME Guide
  • The Family and Medical Leave Act: AFSCME’s Comprehensive Guide for You, Your Family and Your Union
  • Stopping Sexual Harassment: An AFSCME Guide
  • Safe Jobs Now: An AFSCME Guide to Health and Safety in the Workplace

From sources other than AFSCME, there are many other helpful publications for AFSCME officers and activists. These include:

  • Four books by Robert Schwartz: The Legal Rights of Union Stewards, How to Win Past Practice Grievances, The FMLA Handbook and Strikes, Picketing and Inside Campaigns. All are written in an easy-to-read, question-and-answer format and cover all the bases on their respective topics. Available from the website www.workrightspress.com or by calling (800) 576-4552.
  • The Union Steward’s Complete Guide, 2nd edition, edited by David Prosten. Topics range from the basics of grievance handling to dealing with difficult supervisors to increasing member involvement in the union in a changing workplace. Available from www.unionist.com or by calling (800) 321-2545.
  • The Union Member’s Complete Guide, by Michael Mauer. Guide offers an easy-to-read, thorough explanation of what unions are, how they work and the rights and responsibilities of union members. Available from the website www.unionist.com or by calling (800) 321-2545.
  • A Troublemaker’s Handbook 2, edited by Jane Slaughter. Workplace strategies manual covers all the how-tos: agitating for better conditions, workplace actions, winning good contracts, organizing new members and much more. Available from the Troublemakers website at www.troublemakershandbook.org. Also available from www.unionist.com or by calling (800) 321-2545.
  • Organizing for Social Change, 3rd edition, by Kim Bobo, Jackie Kendall and Steve Max. Comprehensive tool for organizers and leaders determined to create change covers everything from coalition building to using the media. Published by the Midwest Academy and available for purchase from www.unionist.com or by calling (800) 321-2545.
  • Parliamentary Procedure and Effective Meetings, by Gene Daniels and Larry Casey. Designed as a workbook, this realistic guide on how to run and participate in union meetings offers real-world advice on setting agendas, dealing with difficult people and boosting attendance. Available from www.unionist.com or by calling (800) 321-2545.
  • Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, 10th edition. Book covers parliamentary procedure from A to Z. Available at all major bookstores.
  • The Activist Cookbook: Creative Actions for a Fair Economy, by United for a Fair Economy. Manual offers innovative ideas and examples of creative actions to get your point across at conferences, campaigns and media events — even your local union meetings. See the website www.faireconomy.org for ordering information.
  • How to Do Leaflets, Newsletters & Newspapers, by Nancy Brigham. This readable, informative guide covers how to create flyers and newsletters. Available at www.amazon.com.
  • Rekindling the Movement: Labor’s Quest for Relevance in the Twenty-first Century, edited by Lowell Turner, Harry C. Katz, Richard W. Hurd and the New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Authors examine the resurgence and potential of American unions through the efforts of a new generation of energetic and progressive leaders.

Websites

There are a growing number of union-related websites on the Internet. In addition to the AFSCME home page (www.afscme.org), among the most useful are:

  • www.aflcio.org: Up-to-date news, information, publications and more from the AFL-CIO
  • www.labourstart.org: A daily update of labor-related news
  • www.unionist.com: Graphics, news and information for union leaders, stewards and activists; excellent source for union-related publications
  • www.faireconomy.org: Site of United for a Fair Economy, a network of progressive economists that strives for greater economic equity
  • www.laborheritage.org: Site of the Labor Heritage Foundation, which works to strengthen the labor movement through music and the arts

 

The most up-to-date source of information is www.afscme.org. AFSCME leaders should periodically check AFSCME’s website for updated information, resources and helpful links that are continually being developed and added. Contents of the site include:

  • Up-to-date information on political, legislative, and policy issues that affect AFSCME members
  • News about AFSCME organizing victories around the country
  • Bargaining topics and data
  • Hundreds of manuals, brochures, handbooks, fact sheets, etc., that can be downloaded and printed
  • Links to other websites useful to AFSCME activists, including:
    — AFSCME affiliates
    — Other labor unions and organizations
    — Government agencies
    — Resources organized by topics that include member benefits, bargaining, privatization, retirees, health and safety, etc.
Print Version