Abstract

More Canadian workers are in and out of work or in insecure jobs, prompting the (re)emergence of community unionism. We understand community unionism as a form of mobilization that occupies the centre range along a continuum of community organizing and trade union organizing. After contrasting the currently dominant model industrial unionism to the process-oriented community development mode of organizing, we illustrate the power of drawing on elements of both trade union and community organizing with a case study of Toronto Organizing for Fair Employment (TOFFE). Community unionism, like efforts of union renewal, can help build a stronger labour movement.

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