Education for changing unions

This book is a compilation of experiences, reflections and activities put together by five educators working in CanadaÆs labour movement. This book is the product of a collective writing project that builds on the experience of æEducation for ChangeÆ, published in 1991. This book applies the central issues of transformative education specifically to the labour movement, which is one part of the broader movement for economic and social justice. There are six key themes underpinning each element of the book: community, democracy, equity, class-conciousness, organization-building, and the greater good. Overall the authors address three dimensions of union education: the job itself, the craft involved, and the many ways of making its presence felt. Part one describes the job of union education and situates it in union culture. In part two, the authors share what they have learned about the different processes in union education. Part three deals with how education might strengthen democracy and participation across unions, looking at organisational practices rather than individual courses or events. The overarching goal of the book is to support the efforts of working people in promoting learning for economic and social justice.