Working 9 to 5: A Women’s Movement, a Labor Union, and the Iconic Movie

Labor activist Cassedy (We Are Here), cofounder of 9 to 5, the association of working women that inspired the movie 9 to 5, delivers an inspirational if uneven account of her organizing efforts in the 1970s and ’80s. Noting that many female office workers of the era didn’t consider themselves feminists or were afraid of repercussions from their male bosses, Cassedy details the innovative approaches she and other leaders took, including lunchtime meetings and publicity pranks. She also shares stories of harassment and discrimination collected from the group’s members and documents the condescending treatment the organization received from male union officials. Discussions of internal drama in 9 to 5 are kept to a minimum (“There were occasional conflicts and blowups,” Cassedy admits, “but for the most part we functioned as a team”), and an intriguing section on the group’s concerns about the plot of the 1980 comedy is cut short to sing the praises of stars Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton. Details about Cassedy’s romantic relationship with fellow labor activist Jeff Blum also feel somewhat out of place. Still, this is an entertaining and occasionally enraging reminder of just how long and hard the fight for women’s equality has been. (Sept.)