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In the face of relentless attacks on organized labour, there is a clear need and desire for both union renewal and for unions to fight back against the anti-worker austerity agenda.
Within this context, a confrontation looms on the horizon as the Conservative government is poised to eliminate the automatic dues check-off (the “Rand Formula”), which has been a cornerstone of union security for decades. As unions gear up in defence of automatic dues-checkoff, some labour activists are questioning their efforts.
They believe that the Rand formula has created bureaucratic unions that are disconnected from their memberships. Losing Rand could in fact contribute to the process of union renewal, they argue.
Join us on May 28 for the Ottawa Launch of Rethinking the Politics of Labour in Canada and to discuss the Rand Formula, and the larger question of union renewal in a time of austerity.
Panelists:
Stephanie Ross (York University) - Editor of Rethinking the Politics of Labour in Canada
Donald Swartz and Rosemary Warskett (Carleton University) - contributors to Rethinking the Politics of Labour in Canada
John Hollingsworth - member/activist with COPE Local 225 and the Ottawa-Outaouais Industrial Workers of the World
