Overview

Income inequality has risen rapidly over the past three decades. In Canada it is now at its highest level since 1928. One of the root causes: the consistent chipping away of labour rights. The labour movement has been left unable to maintain membership levels and incapable of narrowing the income gap through collective bargaining, with profound implications for Canadians. Labour rights are human rights. They provide a powerful democratic counterweight to the growing power of corporations and the wealthy, and are key to a functioning democracy. Unions Matter affirms the critical role that unions and strong labour rights play in creating greater economic equality and promoting the social well-being of all citizens.

Full Product Details

Author:   Matthew Behrens ,  Canadian Foundation For Labour
Publisher:   Between the Lines
Imprint:   Between the Lines
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 1.50cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.295kg
ISBN:  

9781771131322

ISBN 10:   1771131322
Pages:   176
Publication Date:   23 April 2014
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Introduction Unions Promote Fairness - James Clancy; Part One Reducing Income Inequality through Labour Rights Chapter 1 Why Unions Matter: Unions, Income Inequality, and Regressive Labour Laws - Garry Sran with James Clancy, Derek Fudge, and Michael Lynk; Chapter 2 Income Inequality in Canada: History and Trends - Armine Yalnizyan; Chapter 3 Increasing Inequality: The Challenge to Canadian Unions - Lars Osberg; Chapter 4 Labour Law and Labour Rights: The Wagner Act in Canada - Michael Lynk; Part Two Promoting Democracy, Economic Equality, and Social Rights; Chapter 5 Unions and Democratic Governance: Empowering Participatory Citizenship - Nathalie Des Rosiers; Chapter 6 Advancing Human Rights for All Canadians: The Struggle for Equality - Paul Champ; Chapter 7 A Changing Tide Hurts Vulnerable Workers: A Case Study on Migrant Workers - Naveen Mehta; Part Three Constitutional Protection of Labour Rights Chapter 8 Who Owns Charter Values? A Mobilization Strategy for the Labour Movement - Fay Faraday and Eric Tucker; Chapter 9 Freedom of Association: The Right to Bargain Collectively and the Right to Organize - Paul J.J. Cavalluzzo and Adrienne Telford; Chapter 10 Constitutional Protection for the Right to Strike: The Role of the Courts - Steven Barrett and Benjamin Oliphant; Chapter 11 Working towards Equality: Putting Vision into Practice - Fay Faraday; Chapter 12 The Power of Collective Bargaining: International Rights in a Neoliberal Age - John Hendy, Notes, Contributors, Index

Reviews

This important book explains why the business attack on unions is so fierce: because unions have been effective in protecting the rights of working people. Written by some of Canada's leading thinkers, this powerful collection of essays reminds us that unions not only brought us the weekend, but just about everything else that makes our lives livable today. - Linda McQuaig, author and journalist Written in a lively and accessible style, Unions Matter makes a compelling case for the need to recognize labour rights as human rights and to develop laws and policies that put these rights to work. If you care about work and equality in Canada today you should read this book. - Judy Fudge, professor, Kent Law School, UK

Author Information

The Canadian Foundation for Labour Rights (CFLR) is a national voice devoted to promoting labour rights as an important means to strengthening democracy, equality, and economic justice here in Canada and internationally. CFLR was established and is sponsored by the National Union of Public and General Employees and the United Food and Commercial Workers - Canada.

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