From Consent to Coercion: The Continuing Assault on Labour

The book From Consent to Coercion explores the assault against trade union rights and freedoms in Canada, focusing on the diminishing welfare state and its impacts on working-class rights and standards of living. It witnesses the passing of free collective bargaining and a return to coercion to secure subordination in the Canadian political economy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2023
Publisher: University of Toronto Press

From Consent to Coercion delves into the escalating attack on trade union rights and freedoms in Canada, orchestrated by both federal and provincial governments. Centering the struggles of Canadian unionized workers, this comprehensive book explores the decline of the welfare state and its profound implications for broader working-class rights and standards of living. Witnessing the passing of an era of free collective bargaining in Canada, where the state and capital relied on workers' and unions' consent to serve as subordinates in the country's capitalist democracy, the fourth edition examines how the past two decades have seen a resurgence of the state and capital's dependence on coercion—on force and fear—to maintain this subordination.

In this critical juncture of the Canadian political economy, characterized by growing precarity, poverty, and polarization amidst an uncertain period of austerity, From Consent to Coercion raises urgent concerns. It emphasizes the need to rebuild and renew socialist politics, fostering bold thinking and developing innovative solutions to address the challenges posed to the left of social democracy.

The book explores the historical roots of the decline of trade union power and the erosion of worker protections, tracing the influence of neoliberal policies and corporate interests on labor relations. It sheds light on the challenges faced by unionized workers, including wage stagnation, job insecurity, and the shrinking of public services.

Furthermore, From Consent to Coercion examines the impact of coercion on workers' rights and freedoms. It highlights the use of anti-union legislation, surveillance, and intimidation tactics by employers to suppress collective bargaining and undermine union solidarity. The book also explores the role of the state in facilitating coercion, through laws and policies that favor corporate interests and undermine worker protections.

The book offers a socialist perspective on rebuilding and renewing trade union power. It advocates for a return to collective bargaining, worker empowerment, and the expansion of public services. It also calls for a renewed focus on social and economic justice, addressing the root causes of inequality and poverty.

Moreover, From Consent to Coercion emphasizes the importance of building solidarity and unity among workers across different industries and sectors. It highlights the need for cross-sectoral collaboration and the formation of broad-based movements to challenge corporate power and promote workers' rights.

In conclusion, From Consent to Coercion is a vital contribution to the ongoing debate about trade union rights and freedoms in Canada. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges faced by unionized workers and the mechanisms of coercion employed by the state and capital. By advocating for a socialist perspective on rebuilding and renewing trade union power, the book offers a roadmap for rebuilding and renewing socialist politics and addressing the urgent challenges facing the working class in Canada.

Weight: 520g
Dimension: 235 x 159 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781487506469
Edition number: 4 Revised edition