Direct Action Gets the Goods

Description

A Graphic History of the Strike in Canada

By The Graphic History Collective with Althea Balmes, Gord Hill, Orion Keresztesi, & David Lester
Between The Lines

Art has always played a significant role in the history of the labor movement. Songs, stories, poems, pamphlets, and comics, have inspired workers to take action against greedy bosses and helped shape ideas of a more equal world. They also help fan the flames of discontent. Radical social change doesn’t come without radical art. It would be impossible to think about labor unrest without its iconic songs like “Solidarity Forever” or its cartoons like Ernest Riebe’s creation, Mr. Block.

In this vein, The Graphic History Collective has created an illustrated chronicle of the strike—the organized withdrawal of labor power—in Canada. For centuries, workers in Canada—Indigenous and non-Indigenous, union and non-union, men and women—have used the strike as a powerful tool, not just for better wages, but also for growing working-class power. This lively comic book will inspire new generations to learn more about labor and working-class history and the power of solidarity.

“Brilliant in narrative power and artistic expression, Direct Action Gets the Goods offers more proof of The History Collective’s prowess with the graphic form. This book offers an antidote to the apathy of our uncertain times. It will encourage people to learn from labor’s past and to use direct action and the strike in today’s struggles for justice. Magnificent!”—Paul Buhle, editor of Wobblies! and author of Marxism in the United States

“Direct Action Gets the Goods is a brilliant and essential resource. Through well-researched history and powerful graphic art, it shows how the strike is key to revolutionary unionism and social movement solidarity. This book will inspire future generations to fight and win against bosses and capitalism.”—Harsha Walia, author of Border & Rule

“The Graphic History Collective shows us that art can inspire hope for radical social change.”—Noam Chomsky, co-author of Consequences of Capitalism