The Man Who Hated Work and Loved Labor: The Life and Times of Tony Mazzocchi (Paperback)

by Les Leopold (Author)
Key Phrases: labor institute, new labor party, redefined work, Tony Mazzocchi, New Jersey, Labor Party (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Publishers Weekly 10/1/07 (starred review)
A formidable labor organizer and longtime leader of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union, Mazzocchi (1926-2002), had an exceptional career that belies much received wisdom about American labor after WWII. In prose that unabashedly reflects the upbeat, streetwise world view of its subject, Mazzocchi's friend and associate Leopold shows how Mazzocchi's earliest experiences--from a Bensonhurst childhood among a politically engaged Italian-American working-class family, to underage entry into WWII as an army grunt-informed his shrewd strategies for a militant labor agenda from the 1950s onward. That agenda embraced civil rights, anti-nuclear testing, antiwar and environmental causes, often years ahead of the liberal mainstream, while deftly negotiating such obstacles as employer antagonism, Cold War red-baiting, mob racketeering, union corruption and government intrigue. Balancing a wealth of firsthand interviews with astute judgments, Leopold delivers a vivid picture of Mazzocchi as a practical visionary whose milestones include passage of 1970's Occupational Safety and Health Act. Those undeterred by a sometimes earthy and partisan tone will find a wealth of practical lessons as well as an excellent introduction to American left and labor history. (Nov.)

Leopold (cofounder & director, Labor Inst. & Public Health Inst.) tells the story of radical unionist Tony Mazzocchi (1926-2002), who grew up in left-wing New York. In 1953, Mazzocchi, a World War II veteran, followed his employer, Helena Rubinstein, from New York City to Long Island and rebuilt his union, Local 149, United Gas, Coke and Chemical Workers, which became the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers (OCAW) International Union in 1955. The author shows how Mazzocchi thus strengthened America's labor movement, not to mention the local Democratic Party, mixing radical politics with union fights for better wages and better work conditions. The result: a militant and popular union local. Mazzocchi used his national position at OCAW to work with scientists and environmentalists to improve workplace safety, environmental laws, and economic equality. His radicalism angered conventional unionists, especially those assisting the CIA abroad. He irritated corporations, and was considered a threat to and by the FBI. Leopold's admiring biography shows Mazzocchi as that rare radical who escaped the Red Scare and continued through old age to weave together leftist politics and strong unionism with the goal of improving life for all Americans. Highly recommended for medium to large public libraries and all academic libraries.--Library Journal

Review
"Tony Mazzocchi formed my understanding of the fundamental relationship between work and our environment. He always reminded me, companies don't eliminate jobs because of environmental standards. They fight environmental standards so they can degrade and eliminate jobs. It's a skilled, motivated work-force they want to get away from, not clean air and clean water. Workers are the environment's first line of defense.'"
--Carl Pope, Executive Director, Sierra Club

"Les Leopold has vividly brought to life an extraordinary man--an incorruptible fighter for the rights of labor--an historic figure who should never be forgotten. Whether leading the charge for the Occupational Safety and Health Act, protecting workers from toxic exposures, traveling the country to argue for health insurance, testifying before Congress, or inspiring a generation of student activists, Mazzocchi's fiery passion for social and economic justice was revealed in every action he took. And in Leopold he has found an equally passionate and dedicated biographer. This is an important work in the annals of labor history."
--Doris Kearns Goodwin, Pulitzer Prize Winning historian

"The Man Who Hated Work and Loved Labor: The Life and Times of Tony Mazzocchi by Les Leopold, (Chelsea Green) is the story of whom I consider to be the greatest labor leader of our generation. It was Mazzocchi who connected the labor movement with environmental group and scientists specializing in occupational diseases, with a broad humane agenda for working people so that they had a decent living standard and plenty of time for other pursuits. This World War II combat veteran probably traveled more miles, spoke with more blue collar workers and championed "just health care" more than any other American before his passing from cancer in 2002."
--Ralph Nader

"The Man Who Hated Work and Loved Labor crackles with life--and it's hard to imagine a life better spent than Tony Mazzocchi's. He was a friend and an inspiration to me, as he will be to anyone who reads this riveting biography."
--Barbara Ehrenreich, author, Nickel and Dimed

"Tony Mazzocchi is one of the unsung, unnoticed heroes of the American working class, and Les Leopold's biography gives us the gift of his extraordinary life--from the battlefields of World War II to the present-day struggle for workers' rights. In that struggle, Tony Mazzocchi was brilliant, bold, imaginative, and fearless. He loved life, food, fun, and children, and I believe his story can inspire a new generation of activists to work for peace and economic justice."
--Howard Zinn, author, A People's History of the United States

"Tony Mazzocchi expressed the highest purposes of the labor movement. He constantly reminded us why we needed to build a broad social movement to bring justice and equality to our society--a movement that could unite unions, environmentalists, and social justice organizations in the global struggle to tame corporate power. His commitment to single-payer health care and free higher education for all continues to inspire our work today. We hope his story will help fuel a new generation of movement activists."
--Richard Trumka, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO

"Tony Mazzocchi was one of the most visionary trade unionist in America. He wrote the book on building alliances between workers and environmentalists."
--Leo Gerard, President of the United Steelworkers of America

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Product Details

• Paperback: 540 pages
• Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing (November 14, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933392649
• ISBN-13: 978-1933392646
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #742,731 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Terrific Book about a Great Man and an Important Movement, November 15, 2007

By	David Michaels - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Tony Mazzocchi is the towering figure in the US occupational safety and health movement. Until his death in 2002, Tony did more than anyone else in the country to shape the way unions, scientists and public health professionals work independently and together to prevent occupational injury and illness.

The book is a beautifully written, and, like the first reviewer, I could not put it down. Reading it, I found myself fascinated and exhilarated, immersed in Tony's involvement in the passage of the OSHA law, the Karen Silkwood affair, protecting workers in the nuclear weapons complex, cold war politics, and much more.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Man who Hated Work and Loved Labor, November 14, 2007

By	Allen Cholger "Al Cholger" (Detroit, MI. USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been waiting for this book, and have purchased copies for my friends and family. I am not disappointed. I got my shipment today, and have been unable to put it down. I knew Tony Mazzochi for the last 20 years of his life. Tony had an energy, and vision that inspired hundreds of people my age, and Les Leopold has captured that story in a way that I can't put down. If you are interested in the history of Post World War II America, flavored by the work of it's most visionary Labor leader, read this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A well-written window into the modern labor movement, December 16, 2007

By	Richard Van Wagenen - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This well-written, inspiring, and entertaining account of one man's remarkable life also illuminates the recent history of America's labor movement. We learn about labor's postwar purges, unions' role in the cold war, the origins of worker health and safety laws, the common ground between the labor and environmental movements, and the potential for an independent political party centered on working people. The accounts of union politics are fascinating.

Les Leopold, who knew Tony Mazzocchi well, provides his own perspective on the man and the movement he did so much to advance. Those who may differ with Mazzocchi's politics can still admire his idealism and integrity, and appreciate his charm. Those who agree can be inspired and much better informed. Those who just want to know more about progressive movements in our time can learn a lot, besides getting acquainted with one of their most influential -- and engaging -- figures.

The author has done a great service to his readers, as well as to both his subjects -- Mazzocchi and the progressive movement. His prose is well organized, entertaining, and compelling. Let's hope we hear more from him.