Labour Unions:
the good, the bad, the ugly.
Labour u ni o ns a re o rg a n iz at io n s t h at c o lle c t iv e ly b ar gain with empl oyers f o r the p ro te c ti o n o f w o r k e r s ’ e c o n o m ic s t at u s an d wo rk in g condi ti ons. I n thi s a rti c l e , the h is t o r y o f C an ad ian lab o u r u n io ns , th eir benef i ts an d d ra w ba c ks, a n d t h e c h an ge s t h at n e e d t o b e mad e to c u rre nt l a bo r u ni o n p r ac t ic e s w ill b e d is c u s s e d . History of Labour Unions in Canada: he history behind labour unions in Canada began as early as the 1800s. One of the most prominent events in Canadian labour history was the organized strike by the Toronto Typographical Union for a shorter workday in 1872. Upwards of 10,000 supporters rallied despite the illegality of this activity, resulting in a response from Prime Minister John A. Macdonald. The outcome of this movement was the introduction of the Trade Union Act. This Act freed unions from charges of conspiracy for gathering to protest for increased wages and lower work hours. This movement also saw changes to picketing, which was no longer seen as an act of intimidation. Union supporters believe this strike was a pivotal moment in Canadian labour union history as it galvanized the labour movement. Despite these advancements, the implementation of the federal Industrial Disputes Investigation Act of 1907, which required employee-employer disputes to be reported to a board of conciliation and mediation, was not favoured by the union movement. This act required that the board complete its investigations of the dispute prior to any strikes taking place, essentially delaying work stoppage in hopes that both employees and employers could “cool-off” during this time. These legal changes, the reduction of income due to wartime inflation, and the overall shortage of work at the time created tension that led to several strikes throughout 191819 that unfortunately did not lead to favourable outcomes for workers.
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Despite this, the labour movement did not lose momentum, and several pivotal events took place that resulted in many gains for the worker. Developments included the founding of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) which unified several unions to promote a stronger voice for workers (1956). Additionally, the right to safety at work saw to the passing of the Industrial Safety Act which made up the foundation of the Canada Labour Code (1960s). In 1971, parental benefits were introduced through unemployment insurance and shortly after, unions negotiated an extension of paid parental leave that included salary top-ups by employers. Approximately 30% of working Canadians are part of a labour union as of 2021. Labour unions continue to advocate for their workers by negotiating for better benefits that improve wages and benefits, in addition to improving workers’ access to affordable childcare and early childhood education for their families.
Benefits of Labour Unions: It is clear that labour unions were pivotal in improving conditions for workers in Canada. As the needs of society changes, so do the benefits offered by labour unions. Ultimately, unions provide benefits to employees that are not always made available to nonunionized workers. Safety and Security. Labour unions work to provide safety and security for workers by ensuring they are not victims of unlawful termination. Knowing they have job security; workers are more likely to air grievances about their employer. Labour unions regularly advocate for proper training for workers as a necessity to ensure a safe working environment. This was further apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic as labour unions advocated for the implementation of paid sick days and adequate access to PPE. Addressing Discrimination. Unions continue to modify their policies to protect workers from discrimination in the workplace due to their race, religion, gender identity and expression, or sexuality. The CLC, the largest labour organization in Canada, acknowledged the role that Canada’s unions must play to promote equity in the workplace. Regularly releasing informational materials and campaigns to inform on several issues, such as the necessity for the federal government to address the systemic racism experienced by Black workers in Canada, emphasizes the awareness that some labour unions have in these times. By educating employers and union members on issues pertaining to worker equity, the CLC and other labour unions are hoping to improve the inclusivity of the workplace. In fact, it is the decline in unionization over the last several decades that is cited as one of the reasons why there is an expansion of the Black-White employee wage gap.