This third edition of Building a Better World offers a comprehensive introductory overview of Canada’s labour movement. The book includes an analysis of why workers form unions; assesses their organization and democratic potential; examines issues related to collective bargaining, grievances and strike activity; charts the historical development of labour unions; and describes the gains unions have achieved for their members and all working people.
About the Authors
Stephanie Ross is the Director of the School of Labour Studies at McMaster University.
Larry Savage is Chair of the Department of Labour Studies at Brock University.
Errol Black was a professor, activist and city councillor who wrote about politics, economics and labour, including the first two editions of Building a Better World.
Jim Silver is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Winnipeg who has written extensively on poverty and related issues, including public housing and low-income rental housing, community development and education, adult education, and Indigenous street gangs. He is a founding member of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives–Manitoba and played a key role in the establishment of Merchants Corner, a University of Winnipeg off-campus site in Winnipeg’s low-income and racialized North End.
What People Are Saying
“Building a Better World is an essential text for undergraduate teaching in Labour Studies. … I would have no hesitation using the text in a first-year introductory classroom.” - Suzanne Mills, McMaster University;
“Building a Better World affirms the critical role unions play in promoting democracy, greater economic equality, and social justice for all citizens.” - James Clancy, National President, National Union of Public and General Employees;
“Since it was first published, Building a Better World has been the best available book to introduce readers to unions in Canada. … With workers and unions facing increasingly severe attacks from employers and governments, this new version is most welcome.” David Camfield, University of Manitoba, author of Canadian Labour in Crisis;
“Building a Better World is a good textbook for my third year commerce students majoring in industrial relations and human resource management. … The students seem to like the ‘Basics’ style of a short, snappy paperback attuned to the reality of industrial relations in Canada, instead of an oversized hardcover book, which often tries to be encyclopedic.” Judy Haiven, Saint Mary’s University
Table of Contents
What Is a Union?
Understanding Unions
Early Union Struggles in Canada
From Keynesianism to Neoliberalism: Union Breakthroughs and Challenges
Unions In the Workplace
Unions and Political Action
How Do Unions Work?
What Difference Do Unions Make?
Who Belongs to Unions? Who Doesn’t and Why?
The Future of Unions: Decline or Renewal?
Bibliography
Index