Canada’s Unions Are United: Want Our Votes? Enhance Our Rights!
April 18 2024 - 10:30AM
Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske was joined by
workers’ representatives from across the country today to deliver a
warning to politicians from all parties that workers are demanding
more than supportive words.
“Workers are standing united, with a clear message to all
parties: if you want our votes, you must respect our rights and
deliver real help to workers and families. We demand concrete
action, not pretty words,” warned Bruske. “All parties must pledge
support for concrete actions to dismantle barriers to joining or
forming a union and crack down on any company that unfairly
obstructs workers from organizing.”
Bruske and her fellow labour leaders warned that workers will
hold politicians to account if they fail to support concrete
measures, including:
- New Taskforce on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, with a
mandate to bring forward concrete recommendations for more balanced
labour laws.
- Pledge not to pass back-to-work legislation or laws that impose
collective agreements on workers.
- Fast track federal anti-scab bill and advocate for similar laws
in all jurisdictions.
- Support automatic card certification in all provinces and
territories.
Bruske released new opinion research that showed Canadians
support unions because unions provide tangible benefits that
improve the quality of life for workers. Sixty-two percent of
Canadian voters believe more workers being part of a union is a
good thing while seventy percent agree governments should remove
barriers to joining and forming a union. Canadians cite obstacles
like employer intimidation and misinformation, alongside too many
hoops and onerous bureaucracy that obstruct workers from
organizing.
“When unions are weaker, people’s quality of life is diminished.
In tough times like today, the most powerful way to make life more
affordable is to have a union behind you. We have the evidence to
show Canadians get that unions secure good jobs, fair wages, decent
working conditions, and better benefits,” explained Bruske. “People
understand that unions help build thriving, affordable, livable
communities. That’s why we must protect workers’ rights and stop
allowing employers to always have the upper hand.”
“We’re ready to work together with politicians who agree to
support our work to build a fairer economy, from the worker up,”
Bruske concluded.
The Canadian Labour Congress is the largest labour organization
in Canada, bringing together dozens of national and international
unions, provincial and territorial federations of labour and
community-based labour councils to represent more than 3 million
workers across the country.
Please contact:CLC Media Relationsmedia@clcctc.ca