A clear analysis of tactics and politics, this thorough account examines the dispute between the United Healthcare Workers (UHW) union in California and its 'parent' organisation, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) - one of the most important labour conflicts in the United States today. Timed to coincide with elections in California, this detailed history calls for a reexamination of the ideological and structural underpinnings of today's labour movement and illustrates how a local conflict can speaks to the rights of labourers everywhere.