Solidarity against globalization: A rhetorical and functional analysis of the American labor movement's anti -globalization argument

In the late 1990's, the American labor movement experienced a resurgence in its strength following the elections of John Sweeney as president of the AFL-CIO and James P. Hoffa as president of the Teamsters. As a result of its new found momentum, the labor movement increased its level of social activism. While the movement was active in a number of areas, the issue of globalization and free trade ascended to primary importance resulting in labor becoming a leading agent in the growing anti-globalization movement. This situation led to labor's need to advocate and generate support for its anti-globalization position among two groups: the internal audience consisting of the rank-and-file union membership and the external audience consisting of potential like-minded individuals as well as opponents of labor's position. The analysis of the internally-directed rhetoric will focus on the messages developed in various union membership publications. The analysis of the externally-directed rhetoric will center on speeches, testimony, and other public addresses delivered by assorted labor leaders. By using the functions of social movement rhetoric outlined by Charles Stewart and the principles of rhetorical criticism, this dissertation seeks to discover the methods and rhetorical strategies employed by the American labor movement in addressing each audience. The goal of the analysis is to determine the level of success achieved by the American labor movement in advancing its anti-globalization position.