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To authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-4580.2008.01215.x Byline: David Reynolds (1) Author Affiliation: (1)Labor Studies Center, Wayne State University Article note: Dr. David B. Reynolds, Labor Studies Center, Wayne State University, 656 W. Kirby St. 3178 FAB, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. Telephone: 011-313-577-2191. Fax: 011-313-577-7726. E-mail: dbreynolds@wayne.edu

To purchase or authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-4580.2006.00091.x Byline: David Reynolds (1), K. N. Harilal (2) Abstract: Many progressive unionists in the U.S. advocate for international solidarity and active support for strong labor movements in the developing world. Fortunately, a more unionized global future is not simply an abstraction but is already a reality in some developing countries. On the surface, the poor Indian state of Kerala ought to reveal shantytowns and other stark signs of poverty common among the poorest areas of the world. Yet, because of the state's strong labor movement, the population enjoys basic standard of living indicators far closer to the U.S. than to wealthier parts of India. This article examines this labor movement, its past successes, and the innovative strategies that the Keralan Left is using to address the powerful pressures caused by corporate globalization. The Kerala experience offers instructive lessons not simply for the developing world, but for Americans who wish to take participatory democracy seriously. Author Affiliation: (1)Labor Studies Center, Wayne State University. (2)Development Studies in Trivandrum, Kerala, India. Article note: David Reynolds, Wayne State University, Labor Studies Center, 656 W. Kirby St. 3178 FAB, Detroit, Michigan 48202. Telephone: (313) 577-2191. E-mail: aa2589@wayne.edu. , Dr K. N. Harilal, Director, Centre for Development Studies, Prashant Nagar Ulloor, Trivendrum, Kerala, India. Telephone: 0471-2448884. E-mail: harilal@cds.ac.in.

This article examines living-wage campaigns pursued by labor unions and grass-roots organizations since the 1990s. The authors focus on how and why unions organize such campaigns, what resources they use, the limits of particiaption and possible future paths for this movement.

This article provides the guest editor's summary of this issue. The focus of the issue is on labor union activism around economic development; the contrasts between corporate agendas and collective bargaining or political activism is highligthed, as is the emerging coalition between labor and communities.

The living wage movement, which seeks to give the working poor a better situation, is progressing across the United States in many places on a statewide basis or on a local basis. No two living wage laws are identical, but they share the common idea of linking public requirements to public money. A broad spectrum of local groups gives a campaign significance. Specifics of situations in Los Angeles, Chicago, Baltimore, and Boston and various smaller communities are discussed.

An overview is presented on union-community relations, focusing on coalitions of citizens and labor leaders created in Connecticut and Wisconsin. Topics include the coalitions' strategies, such as providing clearly established objectives to voters, and the resulting election victories.

The author has given an introduction to the new labor community, which believes that focusing on labor issues is of primary importance. There are various models that are developed to study these growing issues.

This is a paper that takes a look at the possibility of labor unions looking to third-party candidates. Issues include how viable it would be to help labor meet their goals and become politically strong again.

Presents a letter to the editor about the regional power of labor unions.