Question

Union Density Trends in Canada - Chapter 3

Do you think union density in Canada will decline to the level experienced in the United States? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

First we understand what is Union density?

Union density represents the number of private and public sector unionized workers in Canada. A union is an organization that engages in collective bargaining with its employer to establish working conditions, wages, benefits, etc.

Currently, one in three Canadians is a member of union, though the rate of density has declined in recent years. In order to understand the varying opinions about unions, it is necessary to assess unions from a variety of perspectives.

There are chosen viewpoints perspectives of society,

• an employer,
• an employee,
• a union,
• a unionized worker.

Reasons for decline:

the traditional structure of unions does not allow for worker's interests to be represented effectively in the contemporary workplace. The contemporary workplace of the postindustrial economy is one that is technologically advanced and increasingly globalized.

To assess the declining rate of union density, four major reasons for decline were identified, they are:

1. Growth in Nonunion Areas & Globalization

there are two primary reasons for the decline of unions. First, that employment is growing in areas where unions are scarce and decreasing in areas that have traditionally been unionized; second, unionized jobs in manufacturing have disappeared or shifted overseas, and mechanization has reduced the number of employees required.

2. Government/Employer Opposition

employer is classified as private and public sector employers, including the government. Employers can be a strong force of opposition to unions due to many factors, such as reduced flexibility due to collective agreements and the higher costs associated with unions. governments are making it increasingly difficult for employees to organize and bargain collectively, which results in employer' s taking advantage of this.

there are some example of canadian government to limit collective bargaining rights and constitutional challenges to the Supreme Court of Canada, such as teacher's 25 job actions in British Columbia and Ontario which challenged government legislation.

3. Changing Economics

Through changes to labour and employment laws, employers attempted to regain control at the expense of working conditions and job security. At the same time, there were greater reductions in social spending and attacks on collective bargaining rights and working conditions, but tax cuts for the wealthy. Employers began to demand more from their workforce, as the structure and conditions of work began to change. Jobs were shifted to part-time, contract, or causal, which saved employers costs like benefit expenses. Employers attempted to control wages through layoffs, demands for concessions, back-to-work legislation, privatization, contracting-out, and imposed collective agreements. Greater flexibility and control over working condition were sought after due to the economic priorities of reducing costs.

4. Societal Shifts:

workers are increasingly in jobs that can isolate them from others in small sites or costs centers, or through contract or casual work. The nature of work makes it difficult for unions to pass on the collectivist values that can lead to cohesiveness in the 30 workforce. challenges to union identities stem from the differing values individuals bring to work, which are influenced by public policies that have attempted to make employment an individual relationship between employee and employer.