This site is pure text. It is the story of Eugene Debs, the Pullman company, and the inception of the boycott technique within companies. This site details the work of Jennie Curtis. Jennie Curtis convinced the ARU (American Railway Union) to adopt the boycott technique to force George Pullman to provide better working and living conditions for his workers. This site also provides historical information on George Pullman and his anti-union activities.

Even though this site lacks graphics, it provides a great deal of information of George Pullman, the Pullman Strike, and the beginnings of organized uniorns. This site is a good place to start researching the history of unionism. The vocabulary and writing style may be a little difficult for sixth and seventh graders to understand, but eighth graders and high school kids would get a lot from this site.
Reviewed by: Walter V.

This site chronicles the life and accomplishments of Cesar Chavez, a man who championed causes of the farm and migrant workers and had a ;major impact on the United Farm Workers Union. This site has a chronology of his life that is well-organized and easy to read for middle school students. You can click on different categories, such as quotes, exhibit information, and my favorite category, Museum. The Museum provides lots of picture of Chavez with farm workers, children, and other important events. This site provides lots of links to other applicable sites. This is a great site to get basic, historical information on Cesar Chavez, his struggle to improve the lives of migrant workers, and the impact of the United Farm Workers Union.
Reviewed by: Walter V.

Did you know that the stonecutters were the predecessors of the Secret Service? Learn about the beginnings of the Stonecutters' on this site. This site tells the story of the Journeyman Stonecutters Association of North America. The Stonecutters Association is the oldest active union in North America. The text of the story is very easy to read and is appropriate for middle school kids. You can click on links that show you the tools and techniques of the trade. This site also has a great site navigation chart where you can learn about the history of the union, various sculptors, and view different types of marble. This is a great site on a union most of us know very little about.
Reviewed by: Craig B.

This site gives a great outline on the history of the United Auto Workers. It has a chronology of the important dates beginning in 1935 with its introduction into society. This site has terrific links to sites that provide explanations using animations and Quick-time movies. A click on a specific year brings you pictures and easy to read text on significant events of the time. For those of us living in the midwest, especially Michigan, this site is very informative about one of the most powerful unions in the country.
Reviewed by: Craig B.

The text of this site was written by a ninth grade student in Wisconsin. It is the story of the struggles that the Oshkosh Woodworkers faced. It gives an informative account of the union and the problems that it faced. The site contains pictures of the prominent people of the labor movement and brief explanations of their role. This site is appropriate for seventh grade and up.
Reviewed by: Craig B.

The Ford Rouge Sit-Down strike was one of the most important events in the history of the auto industry. Learn the details of this even by visiting this site. Detailed accounts of the political and economic ramifications of the strike provide an enlightening insight into union power struggles. This site is a text only site and would be useful and appropriate for eighth grade and high school age kids.
Reviewed by: Walter V.

This site has an even amount of text and graphics detailing the Ford Strike of 1937. This information is part of the Ford Motor Company Chronology. This site provides basic information on the pivotal union leaders such as Walter Reuther, Richard T. Frankensteen, and Richard Merriweather. The vocabulary and comprehension level is appropriate for sixth grade and up. The site explains the basic reasons for the Battle of the Overpass and is a good starting point for further research.
Reviewed by: Walter V.

Chances are that whatever questions you may have about labor unions, this site will have the answers. A glossary of terms includes topics ranging from the Labor Shop to the Industrial Revolution. An easy to navigate link on the Trade Unions is also provided. The Trade Union site has wonderful links to research different types of unions, the history of the trade unions, and a list of all the trade unions in the United States. This site has a glossary of terms with active links providing further explanations of the terms. This is an absolutely wonderful site for middle school age kids. The vocabulary is easy to understand and the explanations are detailed.
Reviewed by: Craig B.