If You`re in My Way, I`m Walking: The Assault on Working People Since 1970

by Thom Workman

Named after a statement made by former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien during a mid-1990s physical altercation with a protester, this study reflects on the relentless drive behind rewriting the historical compromise reached with working people after World War II. Discussing this early postwar agreement—sometimes referred to as the Fordist Compact—this reference covers a variety of topics, including the changing public perceptions of working life, the deregulation of labor law, the eclipse of union militancy, and the dismantling of social policy. Calling for a restoration of the Canadian left culture, this survey argues that they must work to promote the collective memory of working-class achievements, create venues to listen to working people in today’s economy, reject nationalism outright, and encourage the labor movement to exploit its disruptive capacity. Contending that this revitalization will form the basis of a deepening social critique, this debate maintains that the resultant political lessons will prove to be invaluable for working people in the long run.

150 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010