Posted: Tuesday, 10 May 2011

Delegates to the CLC convention in Vancouver were treated to a lively debate moderated by the CBC TV’s Wendy Mesley. Four panelists analyzed the decline of the social contract in Canada’s economy in the years since World War II. They talked about the birth of neo-liberalism and the attack on unions and working people.

Panelists posed lively challenges to the delegates about what to do about all of this. On numerous occasions, panelists emphasized that the relevance of the union movement is increasing. They said that on issues such as treatment of temporary foreign workers or the erosion of full employment policies, it is unions who insist that wealth be distributed more fairly.

Many delegates posed questions. One asked about the role that women played in the post war economy. Panelists said it was women at that time who kept middle income families from collapsing by going into the workforce in increasing numbers. It was agreed that racialized women have been the most marginalized group in intervening years. But one positive outcome of inequality has been the achievements won in pay and employment equity.