Book makes case Unions fundamental to democracy and income equality

Unions Matter: Advancing Democracy, Economic Equality and Social Justice launches May 21, 2014 in Toronto

TORONTO, May 20, 2014 /CNW/ - The evidence is in. Spiralling income inequality in Canada is the direct result of a three-decade attack on labour rights, unions, and the democratic rights of workers in Canada.

ATTENTION: TORONTO-GTA MEDIA EDITORS FOR MAY 21, 2014

The case that strong unions and labour laws are critical to reducing income inequality is at the core of a new book to be launched in Toronto on Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at 4 p.m.

The book – Unions Matter: Advancing Democracy, Economic Equality and Social Justice – is a collection of essays by some of Canada's leading thinkers whose analysis and evidence make clear the connection between strong unions and labour rights, and their fundamental role in achieving economic equality, democracy, and the social well-being of all citizens.

WHAT:
Book launch of Unions Matter: Advancing Democracy, Economic Equality and Social Justice

WHEN:
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Royal York Hotel, Library Room
100 Front Street West
Toronto

BACKGROUND:

Unions Matter: Advancing Democracy, Economic Equality, and Social Justice is based on the successful international conference, Labour Rights and Their Impact on Democracy, Economic Equality and Social Justice held in Toronto in March 2013. The conference was sponsored by the Canadian Foundation for Labour Rights (CFLR), UFCW Canada (United Food and Commercial Workers union), National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) and the Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF). As a founding CFLR member, UFCW Canada has continued to work closely with allies to develop a public discourse on the value of the labor movement in achieving economic equality and social justice.

"We are proud in raising  awareness of how unions work every day to make a better and more just Canada," says UFCW Canada National President Paul Meinema. "Labour rights are human rights. When one set of rights is attacked so is the other, along with the hopes, opportunity, income and security of working Canadians and their families. Throughout Canadian history, unions have proven that together fairness works.  It is a message that is more relevant than ever in fighting back against the ultra-conservative, anti-worker movement behind the rise in economic inequality."

Contributors to Unions Matter: Advancing Democracy, Economic Equality and Social Justice include Steven Barrett, Paul Cavalluzzo, Paul Champ, James Clancy, Nathalie Des Rosiers, Fay Faraday, Derek Fudge, John Hendy, Michael Lynk, Benjamin Oliphant, Lars Osberg, Garry Sran, Adrienne Telford, Eric Tucker, and Armine Yalnizyan, and Naveen Mehta.

"As Canada's economy becomes increasingly steered to benefit elites, the vast majority of wealth has landed in the hands of very few and that trend is accelerating," explains Naveen Mehta, UFCW Canada General Counsel & Director of Human Rights. "History shows that only when everyday people come together in collective action can democracy and social justice be realized. This is the role of the labor movement as an engine of fairness, economic equality, and positive social change."

Unions Matter: Advancing Democracy, Economic Equality and Social Justice will be officially launched in Toronto at a public event sponsored by the CFLR and the Global Labour Research Centre on May 21, 2014, from 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m., in the Library Room of the Royal York Hotel.

SOURCE: United Food & Commercial Workers, National Office

For further information: Naveen Mehta, General Counsel & Director of Human Rights, UFCW Canada, 416-675-1104, extension 2246, [e-mail]