Under the Hook How One Woman Took on the Longshoremen's Union and Made a Better Environment for Everyone

Women Longshoremen: Vilified for Working

Unloading cargo or working at heights on a ship in roiling waters, longshoremen must be strong, agile, and able to handle a high degree of dangerous situations. But what happens when co-workers ratchet up that risk . . . just for you?

Every day in her job as a longshoreman, Linda Nyland never knew if her teammate would be one holding a grudge against her working with him and purposely put her life in danger. Every day, Linda encountered sexist remarks about her body, even when pregnant. Every day, Linda suffered cruel reminders that many men just didn't want her there.

Linda Nyland's Under the Hook: How One Woman Took on the Longshoremen's Union and Made a Better Environment for Everyone describes the daily harassment encountered, not only by her but also by other women and minorities working as longshoremen. Eventually, enough was enough, and Linda faced the union, which did nothing to endear her to her detractors. Threats increased. And the few men who supported her did so silently, afraid to be ostracized themselves.

The hard-won battle has left scars, memories that will never fade. But the victory Linda eventually achieved cleared the way for fair treatment for all. Read Under the Hook and learn how one brave woman made a huge difference.