Bargaining for Collective Responsibility for Social Reproduction

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Recommended: The role of unions today

I have chosen to discuss the Bargaining for Collective Responsibilities for Social Reproduction chapter written by Alice De Wolff. I agree with Alice De Wolff on the arguments that she presented within the chapter regarding the major reconstruction of employment by unions and the positive changes it has made for Canadians especially women. I was interested to learn about the changes made in the employment sector from an activist’s point of view; as Alice De Wolff has been extremely active in the women and labour movements in Canada. In this chapter review I will discuss the tension between employment and private life not only for women but for all employees. Second I will discuss the changes in employment that have been made by unions and activist through bargaining and campaigns. And lastly I will discuss the need for national childcare in Canada.

Growing Life-Tensions

Changes in the social, economic and political structure have resulted in “high-life stress” has increased from 27% in 1988 to 46% in 1998 according to a study from C.B.C (Bezanson & Luxton, 2006, p. 95). According to the Canadian Union of Public Employees it has been discovered that 4 out of 10 employees reported that their workload incresed from the years 1999 to 2001 the evidence presented that 72 per cent reported more work responsibility, 61 per cent reported working with new technology, 60 per cent reported a higher demand for service, and 54 per cent were working in departments that have had employment reductions (Bezanson & Luxton, 2006, p. 99). In 2001, the average age of workers in Canada is 37.6 years of age, this age has increased from 29.6 years of age in 1981 (Bezanson & Luxton, 2006, p.98). Due to the increase of age workers have encountered probl...

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...e Quebecios implemented the childcare program it was available for all families for a flat fee of 5 dollars a day, however; since Liberals formed government in 2003 they increased the fee to 7 dollars a day and have threated to reduce the services and have prohibited home-based childcare from being involved in unions or bargaining collectively (Bezanson & Luxton, 2006,p. 109).

I really enjoyed reading about Bargaining for Collective Rights and Responsibilities for Social Reproduction, Canada has come a long way with policy and legislation, and Canadians still have a long way to go. It is important to remember the changes that were made for Canadians was not easily accomplished and that in order to continue to make changes we need to stay united and continue to fight for what we believe in for that is the only way we can continue to change society for the better.

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