Unionizing the Ivory Tower: Cornell Workers' Fifteen-Year Fight for Justice and a Living Wage

Unionizing the Ivory Tower is a memoir that tells the story of how a thousand low-paid custodians, cooks, and gardeners at Cornell University organized a union and fought for livable wages and their dignity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 258 pages
Publication date: 15 August 2023
Publisher: Cornell University Press

Unionizing the Ivory Tower is a captivating account that chronicles the remarkable journey of a thousand low-paid custodians, cooks, and gardeners at Cornell University who successfully organized a union. At the heart of this story is Al Davidoff, a Cornell student leader who transitioned from a student role to becoming a custodian and ultimately taking on the role of the union's first president. Through his memoir, Davidoff vividly portrays the extraordinary lives of these ordinary workers, showcasing their passion, sensitivity, and wit.

The memoir delves into the courageous actions taken by these workers as they challenged the dominant power within their community. They built a strong and resilient organization, engaging in numerous strikes and campaigns to advocate for fair wages and their dignity. Their strategies and tactics were innovative and feisty, rooted in worker participation and ownership. The union's commitment to fairness, equity, and economic justice also resonated with these workers, who hailed from diverse backgrounds, including rural areas, and held conservative beliefs.

What sets this story apart is its exploration of the intersections of racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia within the union's membership. Davidoff's memoir sheds light on how these workers, predominantly from rural, white, and conservative backgrounds, navigated these complex social issues while fighting for their rights. He demonstrates how a fighting union can be a powerful force for social change, activating today's working class to oppose antidemocratic and white supremacist forces.

Through his memoir, Al Davidoff offers a powerful testament to the resilience and determination of the working class. Unionizing the Ivory Tower is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the challenges faced by low-paid workers, the power of collective action, and the importance of fighting for social justice.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501771552