Who's Got the Power

The Resurgence of American Unions

Dave Kamper

$44.99

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

The New Press
27 November 2025

Political activism; Labour economics; Industrial arbitration & negotiation; Employment & labour law

An essential and timely guide to the changing landscape of the labor movement, from a veteran labor organizer

A History of America in Ten Strikes

At a time of great uncertainty for American workers and their unions, Who's Got the Power? reminds us that unions are still a source of hope, taking readers on a journey through the resurgence of the American labor movement in the wake of a pandemic that changed everything. In the first two decades of the twenty-first century, unions seemed to be fading into history. But the pandemic didn't just disrupt the workplace; it reignited a movement.

Longtime organizer and labor historian Dave Kamper details how labor reemerged with newfound strength, as workers began to question the status quo and demand more from their employers. Interviewing workers and labor leaders across the country, Kamper captures the stories of those on the front lines, from Frito-Lay workers in Kansas and Chicago teachers, to Amazon warehouse employees in New York and Detroit autoworkers, offering a compelling account of how, in industry after industry, strikes, protests, and bold negotiations signaled the rise of a more coordinated effort to reclaim control over working conditions. Grounding the present with rich historical examples, and drawing upon his years of experience making union concepts accessible to the general reader, Kamper provides a front-row seat to a new wave of labor activism that isn't just about wages and benefits-it's about dignity and solidarity.

An up-to-the-minute look at a brand-new phenomenon, Who's Got the Power?, featuring a foreword by Association of Flight Attendants president Sara Nelson, is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the seismic changes in American labor today.

By: Dave Kamper
Imprint: The New Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 215mm, Width: 139mm, Spine: 14mm
ISBN: 9781620979082
ISBN 10: 162097908X
Pages: 224
Publication Date: 27 November 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Currently a senior strategist at the Economic Policy Institute, Dave Kamper, and other progressive publications. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Reviews for Who's Got the Power: The Resurgence of American Unions

Praise for Who's Got the Power? “If American democracy survives MAGA, the critical difference will be our labor unions. Dave Kamper’s book explains why. Witty, uncluttered, and, when need be, acerbic, it is the most useful book in decades about what the labor movement is and why it matters.” —Rick Perlstein, author of Nixonland: The Rise of a President and the Fracturing of America “The American labor movement is used to weathering ups and downs but the past few years have seen an exciting resurgence in an enthusiasm, audacity, and militancy among workers in many industries. Veteran organizer and labor historian Dave Kamper is happy to explain why in this thoughtful, clear-eyed analysis. As he writes, solidarity is a choice—and as he illustrates here with hope and fire, more and more workers are choosing to fight, together, for what they deserve.” —Kim Kelly, author of Fight Like Hell: The Untold History of American Labor “The best overview of the recent labor upsurge we have yet seen. This will remain a must-read as the movement advances into the future.” —Erik Loomis, author of A History of America in Ten Strikes