Allies Across the Border | Praise
“This book stands firm against the corporate hagiographies currently clogging
the shelves; its clear, careful tracking of actual plant conditions and labor
practices, rendered evenly—if sympathetically to workers' plight—should convince
even hardened union skeptics to consider the other side's claims.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A riveting
story of visionary Mexican workers at the forefront of the democratic labor
movement. The FAT is an important example for 21st-century labor
organizing.”
—Tom Hansen, Mexico Solidarity Network
“Dale Hathaway’s history of the FAT is essential reading
for anyone interested in unions and labor solidarity in Mexico. Organizing in the
face of massive employer and government opposition and repression, the Authentic
Labor Front represents an important development for workers and democratic forces
within Mexico. Now, at last, there is a history of the political and philosophical
origins of this remarkable insurgent worker and community movement.”
—Dr. Elaine Bernard, Executive Director, Harvard
University, Trade Union Program
“Introduces
English-speaking labour and internationalist activists to Mexico's remarkable,
but so-far little-known and un-studied Authentic Labour Front (the FAT). Places
this 'new social union' within the context of Mexican history, the North American
Free Trade Agreement and globalization in general. Easily accessible to social
movement activists, it will also challenge leaders and academics to consider
the relevance of this union model to the North and East as well as the South.
Should be made available in other world areas and languages.”
—Peter Waterman, author of Globalisation,
Social Movements and the New Internationalisms
“Dale Hathaway
has written a fascinating account of Mexican workers’ organizing struggles
in this long-overdue history of the Authentic Labor Front (FAT), Mexico’s
small yet influential and independent labor organization. English-speaking readers
who know the FAT as the first labor group to embrace cross-border solidarity
under NAFTA can now learn about its rich past. Those looking for an introduction
to Mexican labor will be treated to a readable, comprehensive, and intimate
portrayal of the trials of independent union organizing in Mexico. Both groups
will gain an understanding of the many challenges Mexican workers still face.”
—Maria Lorena Cook, Associate Professor, Cornell
University

