Demonized to Organized book talk for H1 Youth Committee

Hydro One’s Young Professionals Committee hosted more than 50 members at a lunch-time book talk by Demonized to Organized author Nora Loreto.

In looking at the challenges organized labour has faced in Canada over the past 30 years, Loreto’s book charts a new course for unions. The former student movement leader who has worked on progressive causes from coast-to-coast targeted her book to young people that were born into a generation of neoliberalism.

Loreto stressed the need for unions to be the democratic counterbalance to governments like Stephen Harper’s that continually attack the livelihoods of working people. To do that, Loreto advocated for the union movement to be inclusive and supportive of all peoples’ struggles, whether or not they are union members.

For unions everywhere looking to improve engagement of their own members, Loreto advised that unions need to recognize and be inclusive of the needs of workers in different types of work and phases of their career. It is only through being relevant and inviting to members’ needs that engagement will grow, she said.

Published by Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, you can purchase a copy of Demonized to Organized: Building the New Union Movement here.