Union Learning: Canadian Labour Education in the Twentieth Century. Jeffrey Taylor (2001). Toronto: Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc. 258 pages.

Jeff Taylor's latest book, Union Learning: Canadian Labour Education in the Twentieth Century is both accessible and studious, of use to the general audience and the full time labour educator.As a comprehensive study of university-and union-provided education, it methodically explains the philosophy, content, pedagogy and finances of programs big and small.It is also a warts (but not all) foray into the politicking that shaped the product.With workers' education all but ignored as part of adult education, this book is a timely reminder of the debt that the field owes to its progressive past.The history of Canadian labour education in the twentieth century as portrayed here is cyclical.It begins in 1918 with the non-partisan, activist and consciousness-raising education of the Canadian Workers' Educational Association (WEA) that reached out to unions and universities.The WEA was pushed to the margins following the end of World War Two as business unionism prevailed and unions developed their own courses that emphasized the training of union leaders who could effectively represent workers in collective bargaining.Since the 1990s Taylor sees a return to the broad-based activist education as union-management cooperation erodes and as the reemergence of workplace training becomes a central component of labour education.So while the middle of the book makes for sad reading, the author attempts to end on this optimistic note.That said, there is a feeling throughout of wasted opportunities and fighting over scraps while the corporations set ever more of the agenda.As an attempt to accurately document seventy years of workers' education, it is inevitable that it does not make happy reading for progressive types, but then it is not intended to be read out at union pep rallies.With few exceptions, the university and union establishment come across as obstacles to the growth of consciousness-raising, grassroots education.Rather than reacting to this book defensively, progressive elements in the union movement can use it to document how the internal squabbling of workers has contributed to the current reality of workers being virtually powerless to challenge neo-liberal globalization.The case studies are a great resource for labour educators who are open to learn from past mistakes in order to nurture critical reflection and action.This is primarily a reference book, but could also be used as a textbook in labour studies and adult education classes with the case studies providing ready topics for discussions in graduate courses.Taylor supplies the content

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