This book investigates the complex dynamics of shopfloor politics and the mechanisms by which workers and management negotiate and exert control over jobs. It examines the historical development of these power struggles within industrial settings. The work draws on case studies and theoretical frameworks to analyze the persistent tension between managerial authority and worker agency.

The book is recognized as a significant contribution to the study of industrial relations and labor sociology. It is often cited for its detailed analysis of workplace power struggles and its theoretical insights into job control. The work is considered essential reading for scholars and students interested in the historical and sociological aspects of labor.