Labour Goes To War Summary

Labour and war dominated 1940s Canada as the national conversation and is explored in Wendy Cuthbertson’s book Labour Goes to War: The CIO and the Construction of a New Social Order 1939-45. As North American society entered into a second World War, less than thirty years after the end of the first; and a decade of depression caused by a fluctuating economy Canada was now ready to explore the evolving relationship between labour and politics. Cuthbertsons work captures the growth of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) from 1939-45 by exploring the social, political and economic aspects of labour. Labour Goes to War presents readers with a comprehensive look at the interwar years, touching upon aspects of gender, ethnicity, and equality.

The author’s inclusion of a variety of sources ranging from union publications, newspaper articles and government archives showcases a broad spectrum of both primary and secondary research. The articulation of this research was well written and allowed readers a multi faceted look at how the labour movement was interpreted by those working within factions such as the CIO as well as those working against them. The author missed out on a valuable opportunity in the sense that she makes mention of certain propaganda images, and magazine covers through a descriptive narrative to make a point; a point that would have been a more suitable presentation if the actual images had been included in the text. Overall, the authors use of both primary and secondary sources, coupled with the chronological breakdown of the text and use of subheadings gave readers an easy to follow and interpret look at the arguments made throughout the text. The book is a valuable resource for those looking to expand their knowledge of labour unionism through a Canadian perspective during the Second World

What started in the late nineteenth century with the industrial revolutions jump from a European to a global context changed the way in which society as a whole dealt with and reacted to labour. Author Wendy Cuthbertsons exploration and interpretation of the labour movement during war reflects a growing field of study that includes not only global history and events, but social, economic and labour history as well. Cuthbertson’s breakdown of unionisation and the role played by the CIO in labour relations between 1939 and 1945 gives readers a look at how and why labour changed so drastically during a period of turmoil. Massive labour shortages, the increased need for wartime production and the evolution of technology all played a role in the facilitation and conversation on the issue of labour and work in the twentieth