Vol. 27 No. 5 October-November 2008

Feb 5, 2009

FEATURE STORIES

15 PODCAST TO THE WORKING CLASS
Every couple of weeks university electrician Scott McWhinnie puts his media-mogul top hat on and produces another episode of The Labour Show, a podcast.
By Derek Blackadder

COVER STORY
20 LABOUR IN ART
How frequently has art reflected the daily life and challenges of working people? I'm guessing: not very often. That's why an exhibition at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, in Ontario called "Blood, Sweat and Tears: Labour in Art"deserves attention.
By Guylaine Spencer

27 PATTERNS OF LABOUR AND LIFE
When B.C. artist Sybil Andrews passed by a window of a cafe near her Campbell River home on Vancouver Island, she saw more than four men simply having a cup of coffee. "It made an exciting picture."
By Janet Nicol

TALKING ABOUT ORGANIZING
11 IS THE MOVEMENT AT A STANDSTILL?
We need to move beyond perceptions and, instead, focus on assessing tangible evidence regarding union efforts and outcomes. It's not looking good.
By Pradeep Kumar

WORKING FOR A LIVING
34 A JOB FOR THE SEASON
Wreath-making in Nova Scotia is more than just a job, it's a season. It's the scent of balsam fir and a crispness in the air. Some say it's also a dying art.
By Laura Best

REGULAR DEPARTMENTS

5 NOTES
Art Cuts and ACTRA Western Library Workers Jay Sussman Award Call Precarious Work

7 WEBWORK
Think of podcasts as radio shows that come at you from your computer rather than your radio and you won't go far wrong. A podcaster's starter kit.
By Derek Blackadder

9 OUR TIMES TALLY
Ratio of average CEO compensation to that of a minimum wage worker in the United States in 2007: 866 to 1.
By Sean Cain

10 POETRY
By Leslie Vryenhoek

REVIEW
38 CANADIAN COPYRIGHT
Believe it or not, that grocery list you're carrying around in your wallet is covered by copyright. A review of Canadian Copyright: A Citizen's Guide.
Review by Carole Pearson

COMMENTARY
40 WEASELS VS. WORKERS
Good thing I have a crystal ball so I can give you the news from Wall Street: The U.S. working class is about to get shafted.
By Randy Robinson