Book Review: Union Hypocrisy by R.M. Smith

A former member of the Teamsters Union, author R. M. Smith writes how she discovered the union she believed in did not exist. Instead, she found groups that were more consumed with their own power than protecting the members they claimed to serve.

Union Hypocrisy is a revealing look into the motives and politics that flow through today's unions. Smith provides numerous examples of how unions rally against corporations for anti-worker policies they themselves utilize. She also creates a compelling case that indicates they prevent their own staff from unionizing, but condemn companies like Walmart for doing the same.

I approached Union Hypocrisy with a bit of bias. While unions were vital in fighting for workers' rights when they began, now they have become one part of a huge broken political system that has failed the middle class time and again. The little guy has been squeezed out of the game by a rich elite who can "buy" what it needs, all the while trying to convince the rest of us that they have our best interests at heart.

Much of what Smith discusses didn't come as a shock to me. You can tell by the details she provides, the quoted material, and the works cited in the References section that she knows what she's talking about and has performed additional research to back up her arguments. While the decision to resort to name calling in the book and  the use of certain colorful words did not win me over, one can't deny the experience and knowledge the author brings to the table.

For some, including myself, the shock comes when certain celebrity names and politicians are mentioned as not being union-friendly when one would assume they are. That was the most interesting aspect of the book for me. I definitely felt Union Hypocrisy was an eye-opener from that perspective. I won't reveal those names, since I feel it's worth checking out the book for those sections alone.

Those following current events and politics would be interested in this book.

Paperback: 216 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (September 25, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1478275162
ISBN-13: 978-1478275169
SRP: $12.99
Also available in electronic formats
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I received a free copy of this book from the author through Pump Up Your Book. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.

This is the 61st book I've read for the following challenge: