Kenny Riley and Black Union Labor Power in the Port of Charleston - by Ted Reed & John J Yurechko (Paperback)

About the Book

""Their ancestors may have been cargo in the slave ships that arrived in the Port of Charleston, S.C. Today, the scale has been rebalanced: black longshoremen run the port's cargo operation. They are members of the International Longshoremen's Association, a powerful labor union, and Kenny Riley is the charismatic leader of the Charleston local. Riley combines commitment to the civil rights movement with the practicality to ensure that Charleston remains a principal East Coast port. He emerged on the international stage in 2000, when he rallied union members around the world to the defense of "The Charleston Five," longshoremen who were arrested after a confrontation with police turned violent. This is Riley's story as well as a behind-the-scenes look at organized black labor in a Deep South port."-Provided by publisher"--

Book Synopsis

Their ancestors may have been cargo in the slave ships that arrived in Charleston, S.C. Today, the scale has been rebalanced: black longshoremen run the port's cargo operation. They are members of the International Longshoremen's Association, a powerful labor union, and Kenny Riley is the charismatic leader of the Charleston local.

Riley combines commitment to the civil rights movement with the practicality to ensure that Charleston remains a principal East Coast port. He emerged on the international stage in 2000, rallying union members worldwide to the defense of "The Charleston Five," longshoremen arrested after a confrontation with police turned violent. This is Riley's story as well as a behind-the-scenes look at organized black labor in a Deep South port.

Review Quotes

"Few writers understand the labor movement like Ted Reed does. He recognizes that any company's most important asset is its people. Kenny Riley is one of the greatest labor leaders the Machinists Union has had the pleasure to work with over the years. His fights in Charleston on behalf of his members have benefitted all working families throughout the region."-Sito Pantoja, International Association of Machinists.

"Ted Reed's eagerness to cover stories untold and keen eye for detail create an amazing understanding of the intrinsic role labor unions play in making transportation industries work. I can't think of anyone better to tackle the legacy of Kenny Riley's transformative leadership as a powerful black labor leader in the heart of the anti-union South."-Sara Nelson, international president, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO

About the Author

Former Miami Herald reporter, Ted Reed is a business and labor writer. He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. John Yurechko is a retired senior government military analyst. He lives in Locust Grove, Virginia.