Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The politics of the working class and union movement in the context of neoliberal economic and public policy, recurring economic crises, the changing nature of work, and declining membership. Central to the course will be the question of electoral politics and organized labour's relationship to political parties.

COURSE DETAILS:

So far, the 21st century has been a time of crisis in BC's public sector labour relations. The BC government's neoliberal approach is partly responsible for manufacturing this conflict.

But what is this neoliberalism? Where has it come from ideologically and how does it work in practice? How has it affected BC's public services, particularly its healthcare and education systems and the public sector labour structure? And how can the labour movement be a part of a progressive social movement to push back against neoliberalism?

In Labour Studies 310, we will trace the roots of BC's neoliberalism by examining some simple economic history, how globalization amplifies neoliberalism, the 2001 and 2008 economic crises, and BC's economic history since World War II. Then we will explore healthcare and education in BC in particular, examining how neoliberalism has aggravated class issues, especially support workers in those sectors. Finally we will focus on how the labour movement can evolve into a constructive part of a progressive social movement that can address the damage of neoliberalism.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

You will learn about the BC government's neoliberalism, as well as its roots, effects on public services, attacks on working people including health and education support workers, and how it has aggravated the effects of the economic crises of this short century.

You will also learn about the state of public sector labour relations in BC, how unions have contended with the government's neoliberalism, and how unions can be an effective participant in progressive social change.

Grading

Materials

REQUIRED READING: