Why Unions

EARN A HIGHER WAGE

Among the greatest benefits of starting a union is that you have a team that fights to improve your working life in all ways, including compensation.

On average, full-time union workers make 15-18% higher hourly wages than non-union workers. Furthermore, part-time union workers earn, on average, 50-65% higher hourly wages than non-union workers.

Starting a union means that members have collective agreements with their companies, which protect them from any unexpected changes in the terms of their employment. This provides security for members and their families today and down the road, as jobs are safe and any negotiated terms and conditions of employment including regular pay increases are guaranteed.

We take out insurance on our homes and cars to protect their value. Paying union dues is similar; it’s an investment in your job and your future.

Do you have something to say about how you or your peers are treated at work? The benefit of being part of a union means that complaints and grievances cannot be ignored as they can in non-unionized environments. In addition, unions hold management accountable for their actions, so members with workplace issues can expect to see results, not reprimands.

While there is a basic standard that all employers, unionized or not, must follow, the government does not protect all workers’ rights. Unfortunately, many workers are unaware of these basic rights and are mistreated. One major right afforded to workers in Canada is the right to organize your workplace, assemble, participate in, and be protected by a labour union. There are several important steps to follow when considering forming a bargaining unit in your workplace. Still, the first step is knowing you are legally entitled to be part of a union, no matter who you are.

There are numerous benefits of a union. From higher wages and job security to representation, employee health care and other benefits, a union considers the challenges of the traditional worker in a corporate setting. In addition, it works actively to empower the individual and the collective.

When you are part of a nonunionized workforce, you are at the mercy of your employer and have very little power to negotiate fair and equal treatment. Without the support of a union, your right to things like benefits, retirement funds, health and sickness compensation, and more are not guaranteed, and you are at greater risk.