“By banding together in the pursuit of common goals, individuals are able to prevent more powerful entities from thwarting their legitimate goals and desires. In this way, the guarantee of freedom of association empowers vulnerable groups and helps them work to right imbalances in society. It protects marginalized groups and makes possible a more equal society.’’

—   Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, Mounted Police Association of Ontario v. Canada, 2015 SCC 1, para.58.

With a union you have a voice

Unions are a strong vehicle for economic and social justice. They work to counterbalance the tremendous power of corporations and global capital in the interest of workers and for the benefit of their members.

In a unionized work environment, the balance of power is not with the employer’s privilege. The employer must work and negotiate with the union in good faith.

The collective agreement determines and protects your working conditions. It ends double standards and arbitrary decisions by establishing clear rules and guidelines.

With the union’s support you are no longer alone in case of problems or workplace issues. If you are disciplined or treated unfairly, or if the employer doesn’t respect the terms and conditions of the collective agreement, the union will provide due process and representation to defend you and ensure your rights are respected.

Unions are member-driven democratic organizations.

You are the union

Elected leaders make decisions based on input from the membership.

Members can participate in union activities, vote on budgets, resolutions, policies, and collective agreements. 

NON-UNION

UNION

Collective bargaining

Terms and conditions of employment are negotiated between the union and the employer based on demands put forward by members. Working conditions are protected by a legally binding contract. A collective agreement secures your current terms and conditions and builds on them. The employer must work with the union and negotiate in good faith.

Working conditions and employment policies are determined by the employer behind closed doors and cannot be taken for granted. Employees have no say. Workplace arrangements can be arbitrarily modified or removed.

Salaries

Raises are negotiated for everyone. The contract contains a pay grid, annual economic increases and progression through ranks. Wages are protected. They are also stable and predictable.

The employer can unilaterally impose a new salary structure and modify the wages without consultation and without participation from employees. Salaries are not protected.

Benefits

You are lucky if you have any, and they can be modified by the employer without consultation.

The union can negotiate benefits and has the power to improve an existing plan at the bargaining table.

Hiring

You are only an individual employee among many and have little control over the employer’s decisions that are impacting your career.

Together with the employer, the union determines policies and hiring processes that are fair, transparent and binding.

Discipline

If disciplined, you are on your own. You are alone to enforce your rights under the Employment Standards Act.

Unions provide due process and representation rights to protect you when you are disciplined or treated unfairly.

Bargaining power

Favoritism and differential treatment are frequent. The employer is free to modify processes and how they are applied.

You have a voice and collective power. The union is the employer’s equal at the bargaining table and in labour relations matter.