Teachers' Unions in Canada

by Duncan Maclellan

Teachers' Unions in Canada provides a penetrating look into the history, politics and finances of the most influential organizations in Canadian elementary and secondary education. Begun during the 19th century as benevolent associations that provided for teachers' welfare in difficult times, teachers' federations have emerged in the last quarter of the 20th century as outspoken critics of government reforms meant to control the cost and to improve the quality of education. Operating under extremely favorable labor laws – by far the most generous among the world's Anglo-democracies – Canadian teachers' unions advocate a social and political agenda that would expand the role of government in all aspects of our lives and create more teaching jobs in the process. They act to bring government to power – and act to get them out. Opponents of both neo-liberal and neo-conservative initiatives to revitalize Canada's economy, teachers' unions still embrace a social-democratic economic model that all political parties have rejected.

215 pages, Paperback

First published June 3, 1999