The work, a comprehensive documentation of the chequered history of the trade union movement in Kerala, is based on published and unpublished sources and reminiscences of senior union leaders. The book traces the early phase of the union movement in Alappuzha and its rapid spread and growth across the state. The close networking relationship between trade union centres and political parties is also critically traced in the book and it throws light on the emergence of pro-labour policies of the State, division and fragmentation of the union movement in recent times and public s changing perception of trade unions in society.