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"Our unions cannot get us started to work; they are geared to help only the employed worker, and they can do no more for the unemployed than they can for the dead - send condolences." Faced with this brutal fact by a notice of lay-off, Tom Boyle decided to spend his enforced leisure in trying to discover "what labor should do to stop this sort of thing." Needless to say, this one question opened up whole areas of other questions - the actual purpose and value of unions, the efficacy of strikes, where union funds go, how wage rates are set and how wages are spent, the relation of union to management (and its trained bargainers) - and now, five years and many lay-offs later, he sums up his findings in this thoughtful, lively book, Justice Through Power. Since unions have no economic power to provide work, Canadian labor must acquire political power if it is to control its own well-being, he concludes, after a careful and entertaining investigation of Canada's present-day society and such fascinating questions as whether or not there are recognizable classes in this country and, if so, which class really sways the Government. Boyle believes that the workers exert no actual political power to-day, although their potential power is obvious; and "the proposed party sits comfortably within our constitution." He conducts his examination with originality and a keen insight born of practical experience, bringing to this study of present-day Canada attributes all too rarely found in writers in this field - warmth of understanding and a refreshing sense of humour. --Publisher's description

The story of the development of what is now the Canadian Brotherhood of Railway, Transport and General Workers, from the initial meeting in Moncton in October, 1908, to its present status of one of Canada's most important unions, is one which should be read with pride by any Canadian, and which should be of deep interest to the workers of the nation, organized and unorganized. I am very happy that this history was undertaken during my term in office as National president, and that it is available on the occasion of the 1961 convention of the Brotherhood. --From preface by William J. Smith

Ireland was too small for Ginger Coffey. No matter how hard he tried to get on, he just ended up as a glorified errand boy. That was why he emigrated to Canada with his wife and daughter. But even there his manifold talents were slow to be recognized. By the author of "The Colour of Blood"

[This book] is not only the story of Ernest Winch, but an account of the early socialist and labour activities in British Columbia in which Ernest became involved with a bird's eye view of the legislative events during his tenure. It describes the evolution of a man who was a revolutionary socialist during the twenties and became one of the most persistent and successful reformers in Canada during his career in the B.C. legislature. --Publisher's description

In this elegant and rigorously researched work, Kenneth McNaught details the life, work, and principles of J.S Woodsworth and shows the powerful moral and political force that the pacifist, Methodist thinker exerted on Canadian politics. Woodsworth first went to the House of Commons in 1922, and became leader of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation at its formation in 1933. A socialist to the end, he exhibited his anti-war convictions to Parliament, when, in 1939, he alone spoke out against joining the war in Europe. Woodsworth's ideas and strong social conscience helped to shape the development of the welfare state in Canada, and have left an intellectual legacy in both socialist and liberal circles. A Prophet in Politics marks the progress of socialism in Canada, as well as the economic and political conditions in the first half of the twentieth century. McNaught, who died in 1997, is himself an important figure in Canadian history, having fought as a professor of history for academic freedom and having brought the scholarly discussion of national politics into the public sphere. At the time of its original publication, Globe and Mail reviewers called it 'a definitive biography that in drama and organization ranks with the best books about the makers of Canada.' This edition, presented in the 'Reprints in Canadian History' series, includes a new introduction by Allen Mills. --Publisher's description, 2017 reprint edition

This booklet is a reprint of 1956, in which edition there appeared the following foreword: This booklet is intended to give a brief outline of the history of the Labour Movement in Canada. Limitation of space prohibits the inclusion of many interesting details of the growth of organized labour during the last 100 years or so but the main events of this period have been mentioned. No attempt has been made to analyze the effect of all Labour's actions from its early beginnings until the present, but the gradual development towards the goal of 'one united house of Labour' can be clearly noted.

Based on papers given to the Sunday Club, Queen's University, March 17, 1956 and to the annual meeting of the Bibliographic Society of Canada, June 14, 1956.

Contents: Preface, by Adolf Sturmthal -- Economic and social setting -- Origin and growth of the Canadian labour movement -- Structure, government and policies of Canadian unionism -- Government policy -- Appendix -- Notes -- Suggested readings.

The influence of a great man continues long after controversy has faded from the issues he battled. And all Canadians feel the personal impact of the founder of the CCF party, James S Woodworth. He was drawn into politics almost by chance. His early calling was pastor in the Methodist Church of Canada, but a life-long interest in social reform brought him into Canada's House of Commons; a single voice speaking for every man's interest and freedom. In one debate after another, he staked his personal integrity against greed and sloth in the Thirties. Many of his social reforms, indignantly shouted down as radical, are now vital parts of national life. What are the inward springs that shape and propel such a man as Woodsworth? In his biography, written by his daughter Grace, is a strong clear picture of his life and convictions, and the family that mirrored his faith. Here is Woodsworth seen through family eyes; through the eyes of fellow workers; the targer of editorial writers, yet personally esteemed by his Parliamentary opponents. A full-length biography, well over 350 pages, it gives a rare portrait of a great Canadian - a man to remember. --Publisher's description (Google Books)

Contents: Origin of the union -- The struggle for recognition in the province of Quebec -- Recent progress.

This book is a foundational historical text detailing the growth and structure of Canadian labor movements from the 19th century up to its publication in 1948. Logan's work analyzes the economic and political factors influencing unions, the emergence of craft and industrial unions, and the impact of trade unions on Canadian labor laws, working-class life, and culture. The book provides a factual account of unionism's development, examining disputes over American vs. Canadian union structure and the role of key figures and organizations in shaping the movement.

A new critical edition of the acknowledged best Canadian novel of the 1930s. Irene Baird’s Waste Heritage is a groundbreaking work of Canadian fiction based on the dramatic and violent labour disputes that took place in British Columbia in 1938. The story follows the progress of two friends, Matt Striker, a 23-year-old from Saskatchewan, and his simple-minded companion Eddy, as they travel from Vancouver to Victoria following the occupation of the Vancouver Post Office. Like the unemployed masses that took siege of the Post Office, Matt and Eddy yearn for relief after years of economic depression. Empathetic and tragic, Waste Heritage has been praised as Canada’s Grapes of Wrath and the most important Canadian novel of the 1930s.A new critical apparatus surrounds Baird’s original text, informing the reader of the historical and literary contexts of the work, as well as providing exhaustive textual analysis. -- Publishers's description; republished 2007, University of Ottawa Press, edited and with an introduction by Colin Hill.

Includes chapters on production, economic insecurity and other problems of labor.

"Traces the position of the working class and the development of unionism. The author was a member of the Communist Party of Canada."-- Lowther, B. J., & Laing, M. (1968). A bibliography of British Columbia: Laying the foundations, 1849-1899. Victoria, BC: University of Victoria, p. 192.

First published in 1932, The Indians of Canada remains the most comprehensive works available on Canada's Indians. Part one includes chapters on languages, economic conditions, food resources, hunting and fishing, dress and adornment, dwellings, travel and transportation, trade and commerce, social and political organization, social life, religion, folklore and traditions, and drama, music, and art. The second part of the book describes the tribes in different groupings: the migratory tribbes of the eastern woodlands, the plains tribes, tribes of the Pacific coast, of the Cordillera, and the Mackenzie and Yukon River basins, and finally the Eskimo. --Publisher's description, University of Toronto Press, 1977