Susan L. Kang - Human Rights and Labor Solidarity: Trade Unions in the Global Economy

This book's examination of the role of human rights laws and frameworks was the result of much discussion, active collaboration, and collective learning. I owe much of my scholarly development and focus to the efforts of my dedicated advisor, Kathryn Sikkink, who presented a wonderful model of scholar/activist through her excellent work and mentorship during my time at the University of Minnesota. Professor Sikkink remains an amazing exemplar not only for her scholarly contributions, but also because of her continued engagement with political questions. Her critical support, advice, and encouragement have been indispensible to me as I have continued my scholarly career. In addition, Teri Caraway has also served above and beyond as a mentor, a reader, and a friend, and I remain grateful for her generosity and involvement in this project. The University of Minnesota was a wonderful place where young scholars of political science could remain actively engaged in political questions, despite the apolitical dominant stance of the discipline. Peter Agree at the University of Pennsylvania Press has been a patient, helpful, and generous editor, and I remain indebted for his willingness to work with such a green first-time author. Sandy Thatcher was also encouraging and instrumental in helping this book project come to fruition. I also would like to thank the two anonymous editors, whose useful comments and careful reading were instrumental in helping to transform the manuscript into a book.

As solidarity plays an important part in trade union struggles, it was through the solidarity of Minnesota colleagues that I have been able to grow as a scholar and a teacher. The contributions of Jonathan Havercroft, Isaac Kamola, Jonneke Koomen, Meghana Nayak, Jennifer Rutledge, Carrie Booth Walling, and the rest of the Minnesota Expat Writing Collective included comments on early drafts, assistance in developing ideas, general encouragement, and scholarly solidarity. Perhaps the cooperative spirit of the Upper Midwest taught us early on that scholarly pursuits are best done collectively, and I remain awed and humbled by our friendships and collaborations. I would also like to thank Kate Harshman for her advice on understanding the legal framework of U.S. labor rights.

I had the fortune of joining a community of supportive and encouraging colleagues at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York. Through the leadership of Harold Sullivan, I have been mentored and supported through my early years. A special thanks to Desmond Arias and Peter Romaniuk for encouragement and help in demystifying the publishing process. I would also like to thank my many bright and enthusiastic students, particularly in my research seminars, in helping me think about how one should present their research questions and findings. My dedicated research assistant and student Rizwan Ali Raja has also been helpful with the final manuscript preparation.

I would also like to thank the following funding sources that made field research and the revision process possible. The Association for Canadian Studies in the United States and the Canadian Studies Association's Graduate Student Fellowship, the Graduate School at the University of Minnesota, and the department of Political Science for financially supporting my field research. I owe many thanks to the cooperation of many busy leaders and activists of trade unions studied in this book. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the British Trades Union Congress, and various trade unions in British Columbia were wonderful in their willingness to be interviewed and to share information. John Hendy QC was very helpful in generously providing comments on the United Kingdom chapter. And many thanks to my own union, the Professional Staff Congress at CUNY, for supporting the revision process.

A final thanks goes to my family. Steven Koskela is my partner and my greatest intellectual and emotional supporter; this book would not be possible without him. I dedicate this book to my parents, Keesun and Young Chan Kang, first-generation immigrants from South Korea who fostered intellectual curiosity, a commitment to social justice, and political interest in East Asia.