BOOK HIGHLIGHT:

Phil Cohen spent 30 years as a lead organizer for Workers United/SEIU, and specialized in defeating professional union busters. He writes critically acclaimed books about his exploits in the field.

In late 2017, he was inserted into a local at a Fortune 500 company running an illegal decertification, supported by the Trump NLRB and National Right to Work Committee. Their union busting firm felt assured of victory.

Fighting Union Busters in a Carolina Carpet Mill is written as an entertaining action drama, vividly portraying the legal and organizing tactics that brought them to their knees. This memoir, infused with dry wit and insights into human nature, blows the lid off the nation’s union busting epidemic.

Phil is passing on his 40% author’s discount to union members and supporters at his website: https://www.fightingunionbusters.org Copies are signed and come with a free CD of working class music.

"Southern organizing and the role of anti-union consultants in thwarting it was back in the news this year ... Union members and staff hoping to avoid such setbacks (as Amazon) in the future should consult Phil Cohen’s new book, Fighting Union Busters in a Carolina Carpet Mill."
 - Steve Early, New York Labor History Association

Recent coverage of the Workers Unite Film Festival:

“The Workers Unite! Film Festival has always been about using the movies as a means of connecting people and spurring them into labor activism — this year is no different. [...] Even though it’s been around for more than a decade, its organizers are still thinking fresh with a sharp eye on cultivating the next generation of labor-conscious activists.”

— Work-Bites (10/26/23)

“Andrew Tilson, executive director of the Workers Unite Film Festival, said that a major reason advocates fought to keep the Hudson Yards construction project unionized was not just because of wages but because the “non-unionized construction industry has historically ignored safety issues. There’s a total connection between being in a union and living, basically,” he said.”

— The Chief Leader (5/6/19)

“The sixth annual Workers Unite Film Festival has arrived in the city — bringing with it a fresh lens to view working-class life. The festival […] includes offerings that range from satire to serious documentaries.”

— NY Daily News (5/11/17)

“The annual Workers Unite Film Festival brings together activists, academics and filmmakers of all ages and backgrounds for a celebration of social justice and the arts. Through dozens of documentary screenings, community forums, and interactive events across New York City, the festival provides working people with a platform to tell their stories while leading a movement for meaningful change.”

— New York Nonprofit Media (5/7/17)

Past Coverage

“Until recently, there was no film festival in NYC that portrayed workers’ lives and struggles, front and center. And no festival that took a side on behalf of working people in their fight for better wages, respect and dignity.

[...] The stories of workers’ struggles in Bangladesh, South Africa, Iraq, Spain, Palestine and Ecuador will be prominently featured, reflecting a festival theme this year of “Global Labor Solidarity.” The documentary Schoolidarity addresses the issues around the militant 2012 Chicago teachers strike; Overpass Light Brigade portrays the creative tactics activists in Wisconsin used to defy the big business message machine during Scott Walker’s union-busting campaign.”

— People's World (2014)

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Workers Unite Film Festival

The Workers Unite Film Festival is a ten day long celebration in NYC of films from around the world about worker's lives and their struggles for dignity and labor rights. The festival is held the second week in May each year at the historic Cinema Village, just South of Union Square in Manhattan. New locations are added each season.

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The 10th Workers Unite Film Festival is made possible in part with public funds from Creative Engagement, supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and the New York State Council on the Arts w… — The 11th Workers Unite Film Festival WAs made possible in part with public funds from Creative Engagement, supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and administered by LMCC.

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The Workers Unite Film Festival respectfully requests all filmmakers to make their best efforts to use union or guild labor on their films wherever possible and to contact their local performance unions to make arrangements for reduced scale, not-for-profit, or low budget productions whenever this can be done. Stay union, Stay Strong!

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