SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA--(Marketwire - August 23, 2010) - Amanda Tattersall, an Australian organizer and labor scholar, provides a practical framework for what makes coalitions a key tool for union revitalization and social change in her new book, "Power in Coalition: Strategies for Strong Unions and Social Change," published by Cornell University Press. As the first internationally comparative study of coalitions as a strategy for unions, community organizations and social change, this book contributes new, practical frameworks and insights that will help guide union and community organizers across the globe. It is now available for purchase online through Cornell University Press at www.cornellpress.cornell.edu and Amazon at www.amazon.com as well as several local U.S. book stores. Those in Australia and New Zealand can purchase the book through Allen & Unwin.
"This book arose out of my own experience in coalition building and community organizing," says Tattersall. "We need strong and successful coalitions to empower the necessary community voice and response to issues such as climate change, health care, urban planning and transport. This book uncovers strategies for how coalitions can be an engine room for civic advocacy and social change, offering people real hope that common working people can be powerful again."
Three detailed case studies come from long term coalitions in three countries: public education in Sydney, living wages in Chicago and health care in Toronto. The lessons are grounded in real experience, creating practical strategies for challenging the political and economic climate.
Tattersall's experience as both a community organizer and researcher translates into presenting strategies that will work well on the ground. Since writing the book, Tattersall has used its findings to organize, starting the Sydney Alliance, which now has 28 member organizations as partners. The Alliance is following the lessons documented in the book.
For more information, visit http://powerincoalition.com.
Availability
"Power in Coalition: Strategies for Strong Unions and Social Change," which retails for $21.00 USD, is available at select U.S. retail locations as well as Allen & Unwin in Australia and New Zealand. It is also available for purchase online at www.cornellpress.cornell.edu and www.amazon.com.
About the Author
Amanda Tattersall is an Australian community organizer and a researcher with an international focus. She is currently the founder and director of the Sydney Alliance, a broad based coalition of unions, community organizations and religious organizations. In addition to having served as the president of the National Union of Students' New South Wales (NSW) branch, Tattersall also founded Labor for Refugees and co-founded www.getup.org.au -- an Australian web-based campaign organization with over 300,000 members. Having worked as a union organizer, Amanda is now an elected official: Deputy Assistant Secretary with Unions NSW, Sydney NSW's central labor council representing 600,000 workers.
Tattersall completed a PhD on coalition unionism at the University of Sydney featuring case studies of coalitions from Sydney, Chicago and Toronto. She completed her research as a visiting fellow at Cornell University's Industrial and Labor Relations School, living for two years in the United States and Canada.
Contact Information:
Contact:
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