Union Renewal: Meaning, Rationale, Strategies and Experience
At a conference organized to kick-off the new union discussions between the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, labour experts stressed that corporate power and anti-worker governments are driving the need for union renewal.
Professor Kumar, Queen’s University Professor Emeritus, noted that “the main reason for urgency on union renewal is the declining union power and influence due to a fundamentally different political, economic and social environments hostile to unions, combined with a sense of complacency and possibly a ‘battle fatigue’ after more than two decades of defensive struggles.”
“Union renewal and labor movement revitalization will remain fragmented and ineffective without a coordinated approach and a common vision and agenda,” he said. “This is an opportune time to reflect on current state and future prospects. There is clear opportunity for unions in the present moment.”
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