abour did not disappear from the
Canadian social landscape as some pundits had predicted.
Nevertheless, the struggle to survive and revive the movement
was neither simple nor easy. As the depression receded at the
end of the century, employment improved but record numbers of
Canadians remained without jobs. Thus, while the improving
economy made it easier to resist further concessions, much
of what had already been lost was not regained. Resisting
concessions had an interesting result on international unionism
in Canada. Since the late 1960s, Canadian members of
international unions had been assuming greater autonomy
over the affairs of these unions. The weakening of unions
in the United States during the 1980s led to the acceleration
of the Canadianization movement as Canadian workers sought to
shore up their own position in Canada. The most celebrated
case occurred in 1985 when Canadian members of the United
Auto Workers of America withdrew to create the Canadian Auto
Workers Union. However, Canadianization did not mean isolationism.
In fact, the completion of the North America Free Trade Agreement
with Mexico and the United States, and the globalization of the
world economy impressed on the labour movement the need for
international co-operation. The first craft unions, the
Knights of Labor, the 1919 Revolt, and the CIO's industrial
unionism were workers' new visions for their movements in
times of crises. The future will tell if greater
international co-operation heralds the dawn of yet another
era in the history of the labour movement.
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