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IS THERE a PULSE? a LOOK at CANADIAN UNIONS by BIANCA

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IS THERE a PULSE? a LOOK at CANADIAN UNIONS by BIANCA IS THERE A PULSE? A LOOK AT CANADIAN UNIONS By BIANCA KUCHAR Integrated Studies Final Project Essay (MAIS 700) submitted to Dr Michael Gismondi in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts – Integrated Studies Athabasca, Alberta January, 2014 ABSTRACT Canadian unions have been forced to adapt to changing times and ideologies. In response, we are now witnessing the birth of new mega-mergers such as Unifor, which allow unions to build greater strength and authority. Although the overall effectiveness of mega-unions is disputed, it has become apparent that there is a need for unions to overhaul its structure in order to better meet the demands of its audience. It is necessary for unions to become more powerful and have a greater presence if it wants to continue to prevail. This paper will argue that, although unions need to restructure, it is far from becoming irrelevant. To better understand its essential need for change, an interdisciplinary analysis of the rationale behind mega-unions is warranted. To do this, one must understand its historical past and understand how politics and the economy have influenced its development. 2 | P a g e Table of Contents I. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 5 II. The Birth of Canadian Unions ....................................................................................... 5 III. Winnipeg General Strike of 1919 ................................................................................. 7 IV. Between Wars ............................................................................................................... 7 V. Ivan Rand Rules ............................................................................................................. 9 VI. Trudeau to Mulroney .................................................................................................. 11 VII. Pressures of Globalization ......................................................................................... 12 VIII. Baby Unifor.............................................................................................................. 18 IX. The Harper Agenda..................................................................................................... 19 X. Is There a Pulse? .......................................................................................................... 24 XII. References: ................................................................................................................ 25 3 | P a g e The wind no longer fills the sails of carefully skill crafted wooden boats on the Atlantic Coast. Long have they been replaced by the unimaginative, steel and fiberglass trawlers fueled by strong diesel powered motors, enabling fishermen to scoop out far more fish than ever imagined. Perhaps these were symbols of the times, as small family fishers were being almost all but squeezed out by unbeatable low prices and big corporations. Progress is the name of the game and the bottom line is the objective, quantity over quality, but where are the unions of yesteryear? Where are the trade specific unions of seamen and shipwrights? In a world where corporations exercise enormous levels of power and strive to commercialize every aspect of human interaction, society needs a counterbalance. The most effective balance has been, and will always be, the power of working people, acting together. “That is the essence of our labour movement: making a positive difference to your future.”1 Over the last century, the world has seen two world wars, countless number of civil uprisings, the dying off of Colonialism and the collapse of the Soviet Union. There has been great strides taken towards greater tolerance for diversity and a shift towards globalization, Neo-Liberalism and free trade agreements, concern for the global ecosystem and the emergence of global social movements for equality. These shifts are reflected in the rollercoaster ride experienced by unions. 1 Labour Council "About Unions." http://www.labourcouncil.ca/uploads/8/8/6/1/8861416/about_unions.pdf. 4 | P a g e I. Introduction This paper will examine the ever changing structure of Canadian unions, while examining the causes of these changes. This paper will argue that unions have: undergone several periods of restructuring and rebranding as a result of Neo-Liberalism, globalization, and deindustrialization; formed into “mega” unions; and need to revaluate their audience. Although the effectiveness of unions remains disputed, this paper will argue that, although unions need to consider an overhaul to meet the needs and demands of their new audience, they are far from irrelevant. By looking at mega-unions from an interdisciplinary approach, it allows us to better understand the rationale behind mergers and why change is eminent. A look at unions from a historical perspective gives us better insight as to how and why unions have transformed over the years. Then, by understanding how government and policy affects unions, and by looking at unions from an economic perspective, one can appreciate the challenges unions face. II. The Birth of Canadian Unions Unions initially were illegal in Canada. But there were strong ties to the traditions of Britain because of colonialism and thus close ties with strong British unionism. However, these ties eventually changed to closer ties with American unions. On 22 March 1872, Daniel O’Donoghue led the Toronto Typographical Union’s illegal walkout in protest of a nine hour work day. George Brown, politician and editor of the Toronto Globe, hit back 5 | P a g e by launching legal action against the striking workers.2 This was not the first time George Brown would voice his disdain of unions either. In 1854, he had invoked the Law of Conspiracy to lay charges against some printers who engaged in a dispute with the publishers. While the printers were found guilty, the judgment of a one-penny fine clearly indicated the court’s opinion of the use of the legal technicality. 3 In 1872 however, the arrest of 24 men resulted in massive protests that led to their release, but more importantly led to Prime Minister John A. McDonald repealing the "barbarous" anti- union laws. The Trade Unions Act was passed by Parliament on June 14, 1872, legalizing unions. The following year, the Toronto Trade Assembly held its first national convention of Canadian unions which included about 100 local groups. Seventeen years later, in 1889, the Federal Government established the Royal Commission on the Relations of Labour and Capital, due to an increase of accidents in the workplace. Unfortunately, the results later showed that, in essence, it was a provincial matter and not one that the Federal Government would care to touch. This political moment was consistent with the direction of the economy. Growth prior to 1870 was slow, but grew rapidly in the 1880s and 1890s. According to Mark Lovewell, an economist from Ryerson University, rapid economic expansion may have been partly the result of the implementation of National Policy put into place by Prime Minister John 2 Phillips , Pattie. CBC, "Highlights in Canadian labour history." Last modified September 4, 2009. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/highlights-in-canadian-labour-history-1.850282. 3 Education Department of the Canadian Labour Congress, "The Labor Union Movement in Canada and Canadian Unions." people.stfx.ca. 6 | P a g e A. Macdonald. With high tariffs, industries were being protected, stimulating growth in the manufacturing sectors.4 III. Winnipeg General Strike of 1919 It was not until the May of 1919 that the next big union movement would occur. Talks broke down in Winnipeg between the workers in the building and metal trades and their employers, resulting in more than 30 000 workers from a wide spectrum of jobs across the private and public sector to walk off their jobs.5 The general strike lasted until 25 June 1919 on “Bloody Saturday” when hundreds of RCMP charged a group of strikers, resulting in 30 casualties and one death. 6 The general strike may not have ended in favour of the workers, but it was a turning point for the recognition of unions by management. IV. Between Wars In the interwar period, tensions in the workplace were high between management and employees. During this period, the Canadian economy experienced a rollercoaster ride between cyclical highs and lows. After a modest growth after the First World War, the economy experienced an upswing only to take a swift downturn between the late 1920s and 1930s. “Overall, between 1914 and 1945, per capita real output doubled from $5 283 to 9660.”7 There was no doubt by workers that their jobs were in jeopardy and that 4 Mark Lovewell , Understanding Economics, (Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 2011). p.287-8 5 Phillips , Pattie. CBC, "Highlights in Canadian labour history." Last modified September 4, 2009. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/highlights-in-canadian-labour-history-1.850282. 6 ibid 7 Mark Lovewell , Understanding Economics, (Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 2011). p.288 7 | P a g e managers, who were under pressure to meet quotas and produce, where not afraid to abuse their powers and exchange favoritism for information on other co-workers. The internal spy system was not enough for anti-unionists such as Ford. Ford’s crusade was supplemented by an internal “service” department of 3 000 thugs, spies, and enforcers. Chrysler employed the Corporations Auxiliary Company,
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