Chapter 4

Question 1

What is the largest national labour federation?

Answer 1

(CLC) Canadian Labour Congress

Question 2

National

Answer 2

CLC

Question 3

Provincial / Territory level

Answer 3

Labour Federations - act as the coordinating bodies for the labour movement in each area

Question 4

Municipal / Regional Level

Answer 4

Labour Councils - are the coordinating body for joint union activity

Question 5

Workplace

Answer 5

Local Union

Question 6

Local Union

Answer 6

is the cornerstone of union structure; are smaller units of a larger union

–> first level of the structure

–> A local is created when workers at one or more work
sites (from the same employer or type) come together to form an independent union
or join an existing one

• -> Local unions can vary considerably in size
• —> no “typical” local size –> b/c the size of the local = depends on the specific characteristics of the employer & the employees

–> The structure of the local union is designed to put
the principles of collectivism and democracy into action
—–> in fact, many of the most important functions of unions = take place at the local level

Question 7

Structure of the Local Union

Answer 7

The internal structure of Canadian unions is “only lightly regulated” by law

–> most only requires unions to file their constitutions w/ the appropriate labour relations board + make regular financial reports to the membership

–> beyond those minimal requirements, the union membership = generally free to structure the union as it sees fit

–> The union is expected to operate in a manner that is free from discrimination and allows democratic participation

Question 8

Structure of The Union (2)

Answer 8

Members elect a union executive to run the local union

–> two other positions: Shop Stewards, Business Agent

Question 9

Shop Steward

Answer 9

union members who investigate individual workers’ complaints or grievances & act as the the workers’ advocate to management

–>is the union’s first-line representative–the person whom workers will approach if a situation = arises in the workplace where the worker requires immediate assistance from the union

Question 10

Business Agent

Answer 10

**Note: larger local unions = often have a paid staff to assist in the administration of the union’s operations

–> this individual = responsible for handling day-to-day union functions & assisting the executive members in their jobs

–> plays a significant role in important union activities (contract negotiations & grievance handling)

–>often has a lot of responsibility and power

–> Advantage: remain permanent; acquires in-dept knowledge of the union and its operations

Question 11

Structure of the Local Union

Answer 11

Locals may also employ administrative or secretarial support staff

–> Locals may also employ administrative or secretarial support staff

–> Local union members pay monthly dues to finance
the union’s work

Question 12

Local union carries out 3 major functions

Answer 12

1. Dealing with workplace problems or grievances
2. Collective bargaining
3. Political or social activity

Question 13

(2) factors determine whether the union’s actions are actually those that the majority of the membership desires

Answer 13

1. Experienced business agents –> has more power & influence over the executives (turnover on a regular basis)
2. the portion of union members who ACTUALLY participate in votes or discussions

Question 14

Iron Law of Oligarchy

Answer 14

another problem caused by low membership participation in union activities

–> states if the majority of the membership of any organization does not consistently participate in the organization’s operations –> leadership of the organization eventually becomes concentrated in the hands of an elite group who are not easily removed from the positions of power

• -> explains effects such as union executive members serving multiple terms
• -making it difficult for other, non-executive union members to oppose them

Question 15

Regional, National, and International Unions

Answer 15

Most local unions belong to a larger regional, national,

or international union, known as a parent union

Question 16

“International” Union in Canada

Answer 16

usually one based in the US

Question 17

“National” Union

Answer 17

is based on Canada

Question 18

“Regional” Union

Answer 18

for practical reasons, has a specific attachment to a region

Question 19

The generic term for regional, national, and international unions

Answer 19

Parent Unions

Question 20

Structure of Parent Unions

Answer 20

Parent unions are structured like local unions, with elected executives and paid staff, and are financed through individual member dues

• -> parent union executives = also include representation from constituencies within the union
• —Ex: Regional, National, International usually has its own representatives

–> either elected by the entire membership or elected directly by delegates who are expected to represent the views of the members at the local level

Question 21

Structure of Parent Unions (2)

Answer 21

Parent unions engage in decision-making through

an annual convention or congress

Question 22

Convention or Congress

Answer 22

a meeting that is usually held annually

–> each local union = entitled to send delegates to the convention

Delegates:

• hear reports on the union’s activities
• vote on issues
• general policies (request for a formal motion of support)
• decide policies & directions parent unions

Question 23

Functions of Parent Unions

Answer 23

designed both to support the work of the locals & to maintain the overall health of the union as a whole

–> Help in the creation of local unions

–> Support a local’s ongoing activities,

–>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

Question 24

Help in the creation of local unions

Answer 24

by providing the services of a trained organizer who will guide potential union members through the process of gaining legal recognition for the new local

Question 25

Support a local’s ongoing activities

Answer 25

including
assisting with workplace issues
(informing solutions reached by other locals facing the same conflict)

Question 26

Offer collective bargaining advice

Answer 26

parent union reps observe bargaining sessions & suggest strategy to the local’s negotiators

Question 27

Conduct educational programs

Answer 27

(trained union educators; cover issues such as labour law/conflict-resolution techniques;

member education: print publications, website updates that keep all of the parent union’s membership informed about union activities & issues

Question 28

Represent members on labour councils, provincial

or national labour federations

Answer 28

parent union / local union = may belong to these organizations directly or through another affiliation

-complex

Question 29

Parent unions are financed through individual

members’ dues

Answer 29

a percentage of the fees paid to the local union = sent to parent union to finance its operations

–> designates –> strike fund –> which can be used to make payments to the union’s members during strikes or lockouts

Question 30

Labour Council

Answer 30

is composed of delegates from many different union locals, usually from within a region

Question 31

Structure of Labour Councils

Answer 31

Each member union appoints or elects a delegate
as a representative on the labour council
-goodstanding

–>have limited funds and no full-time staff –> unpaid elected officers, with volunteers & other union members = usually carry out the labour council’s work

–> Labour councils are financed through dues from local union affiliates

–> Affiliation with a labour council is voluntary for
local unions, but is encouraged

Question 32

Functions of Labour Councils

Answer 32

Represent workers’ interests to local government, municipal councils, boards, and commissions

–> Encourage union participation in the community or region

–> Carry out labour movement policies at the
regional level

Question 33

Labour council activities may include:

Answer 33

-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

Question 34

Provincial Labour Federation

Answer 34

is composed of unions from a province or territory

Question 35

Provincial Labour Federation (2)

Answer 35

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

Question 36

National Labour Federations

Answer 36

(CLC) is the largest central labour body in Canada comprising 60 national
and international unions

–> 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

Question 37

Affiliates

Answer 37

The CLC member organizations

Question 38

Structure of the CLC

Answer 38

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”

Question 39

Structure of the CLC (2)

Answer 39

The CLC has a national convention every third year

–> Delegates vote on motions to set direction for CLC

–>Delegates also elect members of CLC executive council