Forms of Solidarity: Unions, The Community and Job Creation Strategies

By Carla Lipsig-Mumme

What does community unionism mean? Is it indicative of a new structure for unions? A new way of being militant?

Does it describe new strategic alliances? Is it only local or can it be international? Is it new or is it a rediscovery of the original ways in which unions positioned themselves in their communities? This paper deals with some job creation strategies and how they help illustrate the limits and possibilities of co-ordinated action between trade unions and community groups. Two Canadian experiences are presented and discuss how community unionism is emerging in Canada. What of the Canadian experience is relevant for Australian unions and communities?

(Just Policy. No. 30, July 2003)