Stephanie Ross Bücher

This fourth edition of Building a Better World offers a comprehensive introductory overview of Canada’s labour movement. The book explores why workers form unions; assesses their organization and democratic potential; examines issues related to collective bargaining, grievances and strike activity; charts the historical development of labour unions; and describes the gains unions have achieved for their members and all working people. This new and expanded edition also analyzes the challenges facing today’s labour movement as a result of COVID-19 and the strategies being developed to overcome them.

The narrative explores the evolution of Canada's largest private-sector union as it transitions from a focus on transformative activism to forming transactional partnerships. This shift highlights the changing dynamics of labor relations and the union's adaptation to contemporary political landscapes, illustrating the complexities of advocacy and negotiation in the pursuit of workers' rights. Through this lens, the book delves into the implications of such a strategic change on the union's identity and effectiveness.