On a recent trip to Europe I was inspired to see the level of broad social unionism being practiced there, particularly the focus on representing all workers and citizens - the unemployed, the retired (pensions) etc. They are very opposed to the idea of only fighting for better wages and working conditions, but seek the broadest representation, membership and development of notions of the public good. This page from the CPC characterizes very much the success and attitude of the continental unions that have been successful in creating full employment situations in places such as northern Italy, Denmark and The Netherlands for example:
http://www.communist-party.ca/ ("Unions" link at the top)
These paragraphs are of particular interest near the bottom of the link:
"With the organization of the public sector, the majority of organized workers are now in Canadian unions. However, many Canadian workers are still represented by international unions headquartered in the U.S. Therefore the struggle for Canadian autonomy and the independence of Canadian sections of international unions will continue, always based on the vital need to maintain unity of the trade union movement, while ensuring that Canadian workers have the right to make all decisions within their respective unions and the trade union movement as a whole."
"No less urgent is the task of organizing the unorganized majority of the working class, of helping them to lift their living standards and become involved in political action and struggle against finance capital. This includes organizing the growing body of technical, scientific and professional workers, and workers in service industries employing large numbers of women, youth and immigrants. This also involves special efforts to organize part-time, temporary and contract workers, and the organization of the unemployed."
[ 26 August 2007: Message edited by: huberman ]