"Income inequality has risen rapidly over the past three decades. In Canada it is now at its highest level since 1928. One of the root causes: the consistent chipping away of labour rights. The labour movement has been left unable to maintain membership levels and incapable of narrowing the income gap through collective bargaining, with profound implications for Canadians. Labour rights are human rights. They provide a powerful democratic counterweight to the growing power of corporations and the wealthy, and are key to a functioning democracy. Unions Matter affirms the critical role that unions and strong labour rights play in creating greater economic equality and promoting the social wellbeing of all citizens."--Publisher's website.

Introduction / James Clancy -- Why Unions Matter / Garry Sran with James Clancy, Derek Fudge, and Michael Lynk -- Income Inequality in Canada / Armine Yalnizyan -- Increasing Inequality / Lars Osberg -- Labour Law and Labour Rights / Michael Lynk -- Unions and Democratic Governance / Nathalie Des Rosiers -- Advancing Human Rights for All Canadians / Paul Champ -- A Changing Tide Hurts Vulnerable Workers / Naveen Mehta -- Who Owns Charter Values? / Fay Faraday and Eric Tucker -- Freedom of Association / Paul J.J. Cavalluzzo and Adrienne Telford -- Constitutional Protection for the Right to Strike / Steven Barrett and Benjamin Oliphant -- Constitutional Protection for the Right to Strike / Steven Barrett and Benjamin Oliphant -- The Power of Collective Bargaining / John Hendy.