"In The Future of Organized Labor in American Politics, Peter L. Francia discusses the effects of John Sweeney's controversial tenure as president of the AFL-CIO and assesses labor's influence on American political elections and legislation. Drawing on interviews with union and business leaders, as well as campaign-finance and public-opinion data, Francia argues that Sweeney has employed a more effective and expansive grassroots political operation than his predecessors. He challenges critics who dismiss Sweeney's efforts as a failure but cautions that the decline in union membership presents a serious crisis for the labor movement."--Jacket.