The similarities and differences in the development of labour movements in different parts of Canada

Petronila A.

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The similarities and differences in the development of labour movements in different parts of Canada

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Themes

Labour, labour history, Canada, Halifax, Quebec, labour unions, federations, solidarity, nation, government, business, economy, economic crisis, gender inequality, international unions, provinces, North America, bourgeoisie, unionization, society, Union Membership, European Catholic Unionism, resistance, Private Unions, Public Unions, certification

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Abstract

The labour history of Canada can be traced back several years to 1812 when Halifax formed a union for the tailors. Just four years later, the formation of labour unions was deterred by the Nova Scotian Union which passed the Anti-union Act. Such has been the trend in the Canadian labour movement. As indicated by Kumar (1987), throughout history, the Canadian labour movement has been vibrant and resilient despite the vastly altered labour and economic environment during the 1980s. Other than the years 1982 to 1983, when there was a significant drop in the union, membership in Canada has been remarkable, according to Kumar (1987). In the early 1990s, there were at least four million union members in Canada (Coates, 1992). This was about 36% of all paid workers not counting those in the agricultural sector. In the 2000s, many Canadians continued to participate in the labour movements.

Similarities in Canadian Labour Unions
1. Collective Bargaining Approaches
2. International Associations
3. Canadian Bourgeoisie
4. Growth and Resilient Oriented Labour Movement Models
Differences
1. Differences in terms of Union Membership
2. Differences in Terms of Private Unions and Public Unions
3. Variation in Terms of Certification

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Extract

[...] Canadian labour law, the nation‐state and the case of the British Columbia Health Employees Union. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 25-35. Statista (2020). Union coverage rate in Canada in 2019, by province Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/442980/canada-union-coverage-rate-by-province/ Tucker, E. (2008). The constitutional right to bargain collectively: The ironies of labour history in the Supreme Court of Canada. Labour/Le Travail 151-180. [...]

[...] Some of the notable similarities of the labour unions in Canada are discussed in this section. A. Collective Bargaining Approaches The Canadian labour unions are always in solidarity when it comes to bargaining for the socio-economic conditions of the workers, and demands for reviewing the public policies. They often rally together on high-profile nation extensive strikes to pursue their rights and influence change. For example, in the 1970s and the 1980s, when there was some level of economic crisis leading to large-scale retrenchment, the labour unions remained together. [...]

[...] With diverse social economic and political contexts, many of the labour unions in Canada often conflict. Yet, when there is a call for a national strike, these unions forego their differences and advocate with admirable solidarity. Many workers also show their solidarity with the labour unions. Canadian Labour Union is thus an excellent example of how unions can be different yet still work together if need be. References Baines, D. (2008). Labour studies, social unionism and engaged academics: Strategies and struggles in Canada. [...]

[...] Growth and Resilient Oriented Labour Movement Models In as much as there are provinces that have experienced exponential growth in labour unions as compared with others, it is apparent that the health of the unions is a central concern. The union leaders across all the provinces appear to be confident about the health of their labour unions. This is evident from the fact that the degree of unionization is higher compared to that of other neighbouring nations. For example, compared to the United States, the degree of unionization in Canada is two times more (Coates, 1992). [...]

[...] The United States has significantly influenced most of the labour movements. As Goldfield & Palmer (2007), explains Canadian labour unions, "are deeply entwined with indeed operating in the shadow of and influenced greatly by the imperialist colossus to the south." The first-ever international unionization was the Craft, which had aligned with the United States (Riddell, 1993). The Canadian Trades and Labour congress also had its ties with North America. During industry as well as maintained free trade, which helped in exporting staples at a lower cost. [...]

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