Prepared by

Kenda Murphy, LL.B - KMurphy Consulting and

Mercedes Watson, B.F.A., M.A., C.Med - Thought Department Inc.
 Chapter 4

The Structure of Canadian Unions

 Chapter 4 Objectives 4
• At the end of this chapter, you should be able to:
 Describe the formation and operation of a local union
 Understand the relationship between a local union
and a regional, national, or international union
 Outline the function of labour councils
 Describe how a labour federation is structured
 Identify the role played by regional, national, and
international labour organizations
 The Structure of Canadian Unions
4
• The labour movement in Canada consists of a large
and complex network of direct and indirect relationships
• There are several levels that roughly parallel the levels
of Canada government:
 National - The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC)
 Provincial/territorial labour federations
 Local/regional labour councils
 Local union (workplace)
 The Local Union 4
• The “local” union is the cornerstone of union structure
• It is the first level of the structure of the Canadian
labour movement
• A local is created when workers at one or more work
sites come together to form an independent union
or join an existing one
• Local unions can vary considerably in size
• The structure of the local union is designed to put
the principles of collectivism and democracy into action
 Structure of the Local Union 4
• The internal structure of Canadian unions is “only lightly
regulated” by law
• The union is expected to operate in a manner that is free
from discrimination and allows democratic participation
• Members elect a union executive to run the local union
• Shop stewards are the union representatives in
the workplace
• Larger locals often have a paid staff that includes
a business agent
 Structure of the Local Union 4
• The business agent may serve more than one local
• Business agent usually plays a significant role in contract
negotiations and grievance handling
• Business agent often has a lot of responsibility and power
• Locals may also employ administrative or secretarial
support staff
• Local union members pay monthly dues to finance
the union’s work
 Functions of the Local Union 4
• The local union carries out 3 major functions:
1. Dealing with workplace problems or grievances
2. Collective bargaining
3. Political or social activity
• The membership determines how these functions
are carried out, but there are differences of opinion
on what member participation means
 Functions of the Local Union 4
• Some say that low participation indicates members are
satisfied, but others argue it means that the members’ true
needs and wishes are not known
 Iron law of oligarchy: low union membership leads to
entrenched leadership elite; not easily removed
Regional, National, and International Unions
4
• Most local unions belong to a larger regional, national,
or international union, known as a parent union
• Parent unions are structured like local unions, with elected
executives and paid staff, and are financed through
individual member dues
• Parent unions engage in decision-making through
an annual convention or congress
• Parent unions also have paid staff
 4
Regional, National, and International Unions:
Functions of Parent Unions

• Parent unions may:

 Help in the creation of local unions
 Support a local’s ongoing activities, including
assisting with workplace issues
 Offer collective bargaining advice
 Conduct educational programs
 Represent members on labour councils, provincial
or national labour federations
• Parent unions are financed through individual
members’ dues
 Structure of the Labour Council
4
• A labour council is composed of delegates from many
different union locals, usually from within a region
• Each member union appoints or elects a delegate
as a representative on the labour council
• Labour councils are financed through dues from local
union affiliates
• Affiliation with a labour council is voluntary for
local unions, but is encouraged
 Functions of Labour Councils 4
• Labour councils:
 Represent workers’ interests to local government
 Encourage union participation in the community
 Carry out labour movement policies at the
regional level
• Labour council activities may include:
 Providing strike support for local unions
 Advocating for broader social goals such as
child care and participation in other activist ventures
 Fundraising for charity
 Hosting local CLC education programs
 Provincial Labour Federations 4
• A provincial labour federation is composed of unions from
a province or territory
• Provincial federations have a similar structure to regional,
national and international unions
• Participation issues and “the iron law of oligarchy” are
apparent within provincial labour federations
• Provincial federations deal with labour legislation issues
and lobby the government for changes
• They also provide local unions with communication,
education, and research services
 National Labour Federations 4
• The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) is the largest
central labour body in Canada comprising 60 national
and international unions
• The CLC includes provincial and territorial labour
federations and 111 labour councils
• A number of local unions are affiliated to the CLC without
representation through a secondary body
• The CLC constitution includes:
 A code of union citizenship
 A code of ethical organizing
 A code of ethics
 Structure of the CLC 4
• The CLC constitution states that affiliates will not organize
or attempt to represent employees who are already
organized and have an established collective bargaining
relationship with another affiliate
• If an affiliate undertakes an action that might be
considered a violation of this provision, the affiliate can
claim justification to the CLC president
• Penalties can be imposed by the executive if the affiliate’s
actions are found to be unjustified
• The CLC provides services to affiliates and acts as
the “voice of labour”
 Structure of the CLC 4
• The CLC has a national convention every third year
• Approximately 2500 delegates represent locals, provincial
federations, and labour councils
• Delegates vote on motions to set direction for CLC
• Delegates also elect members of CLC executive council
 Centralized Labour Federations
4
• There are several large centralized labour federations
in Quebec representing different sectors of the Quebec
union movement
• The different federations reflect the different forces
that have helped shape Quebec society
• They represent a cross section of employees
 Quebec Labour Federations 4
• Quebec Federation of Labour (French acronym FTQ)
 Largest centralized labour federation in Quebec
 Affiliated with the CLC, but the relationship is
structured differently than other labour federations
 Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ)
 It is a ‘federation of federations’ with 240 unions
 Most members are employed in education so collective
agreement negotiating is a major function
 Its direction as an association is achieved through
voting at a general congress
 Quebec Labour Federations 4
• Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ)
 “Federation of federations”: members are 11
federations that contain a total of more than 240 unions
 Directed by votes of delegates at annual conference
 Membership is primarily in the public sector
 Has established “negotiation structures” to ensure
consistent bargaining strategies amongst members
 Quebec Labour Federations 4
• Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN)
 Founded in 1921 initially as a union for
Catholic workers
 Today its membership crosses many industries
 It is involved in labour-management co-operation
agreements to explore workplace relationships
 Established investment fund Fondaction to create or
maintain existing ones
 International Labour Federations
4
• International affiliations are more important because
of globalization
• CLC and two Quebec federations belong to International
Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
• The International Labour Organization (ILO), based
in Geneva, is an agency of the United Nations
• The CLC is also affiliated with:
 The Trades Union Advisory Committee of
the Organization for Economic Co-operation and
Development (TUAC-OECD)
 Copyright 4
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