Much like the founding of the modern Israeli state, Jews of the progressive left were involved in the building of the North American labour movement. So it is that much more offensive that the labour movement has turned its back on its Jews. Or, at least, on its “Zionists.” Though sensational stories about teachers’ federations and “Palestine curricula” abound, the underlying question might actually be about the place of unions in our society.

Unions used to be strongest in the manufacturing sector but offshoring and automation have led to decreasing numbers of manufacturing jobs and consequently lowered union representation. Eager to maintain their relevance, and executive jobs, unions have expanded into the growing, and safer, public and para-public sectors. Workers in these sectors tend to be more educated, more female and more activist. It might be surprising to hear of the United Steelworkers’ Local 1998 call to “end the supply of arms to Israel” until you realize that Local 1998 is University of Toronto employees.

The reality on the ground in Canada is that while private sector unionization has topped out at around thirty percent, public sector unionization is strong, vocal and politically engaged in progressive causes. Approximately 22% of the Canadian labour force is in the public sector and

© Canadian Jewish News