Of Fish and Foundry

Among the many unfortunate aspects of the decline of the mainstream news media in Canada is the disappearance of regular labour coverage. Apart from one or two journalists who cover workplace issues — without focusing much on unions — full-time labour reporters are an extinct species. As a result, most Canadians know little about the contributions of unions to establishing and maintaining decent wages and working conditions, pensions, job security, health and safety measures, women’s equality, family leave with pay, and on and on.

We tend to take these benefits for granted, but all had to be fought for. As the colourful sign outside the Steelworkers building in Trail, British Columbia, proclaims: “Unions: The Folks That Brought You Weekends!!” And while labour history is stirring stuff, rife with struggle and sacrifice, it is a history we are losing. Not even academia pays it much mind these days. Thankfully, the field is not entirely barren: Ron Verzuh’s Smelter...