Why Do Unions Matter?
By Rebecca Brown
On behalf of Local 115 Communications Committee
How often have you heard, or read, that Unions don’t matter anymore? By the end of this article, you will realize that is completely wrong. In fact, it is becoming increasingly clear that unions matter today more than ever!
On April 18, 1872, the federal government of Canada, led by John A. Macdonald, introduced the Trade Unions Act. This was Canada’s first labour law, which gave workers the legal right to form trade unions. It was not until 1930 that Alberta nurses became recognized as employees. Albertan nurses were not allowed to unionize until 1966. The United Nurses of Alberta was founded in 1977. Today it represents more than 30,000 members, made up from Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses and allied workers in Alberta. In 1977, a new nurse earned only $6.28 an hour. UNA bargains on our behalf, defends our labour rights through the collective agreement and believes the proposition “nurses are worth it”.
However, organized labour in Alberta has spent the last few decades trying to cope with successive Governments continually restructuring labour markets in ways that make them more and more unfavourable to workers. Albertans are also consistently subjected to messaging from those who seek to demonize the labour movement and diminish the strength of Unions.
All of this has put extreme pressure on Unions in Alberta, including our own, and these efforts have intensified since the last election. Some examples of current issues affecting workers and their Unions are how the government of the day is constantly pushing for the introduction of so-called right-to-work legislation (which is proven to drive wages and working conditions down), the erosion of WCB compensation and OHS rights (bill 47), the sequestering of public sector pensions (Bill 22), the potential drain on union finances from job cuts, the attacks on the a union’s ability to raise funds, advocate or even picket (bills 32 and 1) and the use of aggressive bargaining tactics.
So why does it matter if unions don’t exist anymore? More people than ever in Canada are working in minimum wage jobs, without health benefits or the means to save for retirement. Unions have fought hard for jobs that offer workers decent salaries, pensions, and health care benefits. All of which means security plus the ability to contribute to the worker’s local, Provincial and National economy.
Over the last 20 years the gap between the rich and the poor has increased dramatically in Alberta, to the point where we now have the highest disparity between rich and poor in Canada. This is the result of Income gains going almost exclusively to the wealthiest Albertans.
Rising income inequality is proven to be closely related to falling unionization rates in the province. Union members earn more, have more benefits and more rights than their non-union counterparts. That’s a good thing for everyone in achieving a more equitable workplace. The evidence from the USA shows Unions also put upward pressure on wages for non-union members.
However, even more importantly, Unions matter because who else will speak out on behalf of workers? Unions are at the forefront of protecting worker safety. They provide worker education, empowerment, and lobby the government on workers’ rights and so forth. Unions are still by far the best way for working people to have a voice at their workplace. Unions are also highly effective in curbing worker discrimination and creating equality at work.
If workers are to be part of a prosperous future, they need Unions to amplify their voices and concerns. Otherwise, the corporations and big businesses will seek to drown out the voices of the average Canadian worker. Unions are, therefore, critical in achieving a more equitable distribution of income.
The British author, Eve Livingston, states that “Unions are the best tools or vehicles ordinary people have for achieving any kind of social justice or tackling any kind of inequality.” The vital power of unions in transforming work under capitalism (huckmag.com). She points out the fact that unions have been beaten down so much in recent years and that they have lost so much of their power. She also draws attention to the restrictions they face now in how they can operate. She feels that this is what has created the perception of them being weak, useless, or spineless. It isn’t really the fault of the Union that there’s this perception, it’s the result of the conditions the union now finds itself trying to work in.
So how can we make our Union, which we clearly need, work, become more relevant? We need to educate ourselves better on what the Union does for us. We also need to become more politically aware, especially when it comes to our knowledge of the exploitation of workers. We must start thinking of the issues we face in terms of our collective selves, and what we can achieve together, rather than just as individuals unable to affect much change.
Contrary to popular belief there are reasons to be optimistic. There is evidence that Union membership and the forming of Unions is increasing. Interestingly this was partly fueled by the Pandemic. Of note is that Alberta had already seen a rise in Union membership during the previous government’s term. When people come together their voices become more powerful. It’s a challenge, especially right now in Alberta, but it’s important we rise to this challenge for the sake of us all. It is abundantly clear that Unions do still matter. They were important in the past and they are important today. They must remain strong if they are to remain important in the future.
So, what can you do? In short, Get involved! Learn more about what the UNA can do for you and, if you are inclined, what you can do for the UNA. Read the information that is sent to you, email us if you have questions or ideas. If you can make it then attend the Local 115 meetings. Also be sure to file your OHS or PRC concerns, so we know where you need help. Reach out if you need advice on anything. Learn who the people in your executive are. The pandemic has taken its toll on so many of us, but the Union is still working hard for you, so help them to help you. Together we truly are stronger.
Watch for “Challenges Unions Face” series to further understand unionism.
Bibliography:
UCP Bill 32 aimed at undermining unions’ ability to advocate for members - UNA
20190521_bill-022.pdf (assembly.ab.ca)
20200225_bill-047.pdf (assembly.ab.ca)
20200225_bill-032.pdf (assembly.ab.ca)
20200225_bill-001.pdf (assembly.ab.ca)
The vital power of unions in transforming work under capitalism (huckmag.com)