Steve Early reviews Proles, Barry Bergman’s novel inspired by his experience as a rank-and-file United Steelworkers (USW) member at an Arizona copper smelter. Published by Serving House Books, it follows a young radical whose hopes of working-class solidarity collide with dangerous industrial work, union bureaucracy, racism and sexism.

The review connects the novel with the legacy of Salt of the Earth and the history of activists taking industrial jobs to organise alongside their co-workers — a practice often called salting. Bergman explores the gap between political ideals and everyday workplace relationships with humour and sympathy.

Read Steve Early’s full review in Hollywood Progressive.