- With a focus on Pro-Sports Labour Unions -

Labour Unions in Canada

Labour Unions in Canada 2010

GRAFFITI

A Labour Union is an organization of workers that collectively promotes the interests of its

members and negotiates with their employees.

What are Labour Unions?

Labour Unions in Canada 2010

• Craft Unions (Trade Unions)– Include workers in one trade only, no matter where they work. – Common in the construction industry

• Industrial Unions– Represent all workers in a given industry regardless of the job

that they perform;– Includes skilled and unskilled workers within the same

industry;– i.e. Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW); protects workers on

the assembly line and workers who perform janitorial duties the same.

Common Types of Unions

Labour Unions in Canada 2010

• Is the negotiation between representatives of workers and employer(s) with the purpose of establishing terms and conditions of employment that are acceptable to both sides.

• The contract that is negotiated is known as the collective agreement

• Usually lasts for 1 – 3 years (in pro-sports they usually last 5 – 6 years)

Collective Bargaining

Labour Unions in Canada 2010

• Wages• Vacations• Job safety• Fringe benefits• Training• Job security• Hours of work• Grievance procedures

What is negotiated?

Labour Unions in Canada 2010

Do unions decide workers’ income, benefits, and working

conditions?

T/P/S

Labour Unions in Canada 2010

NO!• Collective bargaining legislation requires labour and

management to reach an agreement by a process of negotiation.

• In a unionized workplace, neither the union nor the employer has the power to set rates of pay, benefits, and working conditions.

• It must be done by mutual agreement during the collective bargaining process or be imposed by a third party.

• LeBron James is more likely to the discuss the terms of his contract with the team’s management.

• Assembly line workers probably will not have the opportunity to discuss the terms of their contract with their manager.

How is Collective Bargaining different for LeBron James versus an assembly

line worker at an auto plant?

Labour Unions in Canada 2010

• If management and employees cannot agree on a resolution about interpretations or allegations of a violation of the contract, then the contract is submitted to:

ARBITRATION

-is an arrangement in a dispute in which both management and its employees agree to accept

the condition of the third party-= FINAL AND BINDING

Labour Unions in Canada 2010

Conciliation / Mediation

• When a contract expires and the two sides are unable to reach an agreement on a new contract.

• Each side submits their dispute to a third party (mediator or conciliator) who tries to help the two sides form an agreement.

• NOT BINDING

STRIKE: the withholding of labour services by a labour union.

LOCKOUT: management locking the workers out of the company to prevent them from working

Strikes and Lockouts are ILLEGAL during the life of a contract.

Strike/Lockout

Labour Unions in Canada 2010

• Restrict the SUPPLY of labour– Require long apprenticeships;– Implement high union initiation fees;– Refuse to admit new members;– Refuse to allow non-union members to do the job

• Increase the DEMAND for labour– They can help improve worker productivity– Encourage fellow unionists, the public, and the

government to buy union-made products.

How do Unions use their Power to Gain Wage Increases?

Labour Unions in Canada 2010