Different employees want union representation for different reasons.
- Some want better wages.
- Some want better working conditions.
- Some want health insurance and retirement benefits.
- Some want the protection of an organization to represent them
with the employer.
Without union representation, employers can pay you anything
they want, from minimum wage on up. There is no law that requires
them to pay anything more than minimum wage.
Union workers routinely earn higher wages than non-union workers, as evidenced in Statistics Canada’s summer 2009 review Perspectives on Labour and Income.
Average Hourly Wage Rates (2008) |
Union
Employees |
Non-Union Employees |
All employees |
$24.47 |
$19.89 |
Full-time employees |
$25.06 |
$21.54 |
Part-time employees |
$20.79 |
$13.16 |
Statistics available for 2009 through the Labour Force Survey, an ongoing compilation of data from Statistics Canada, show that unionized workers now earn an average $24.84 hourly. That’s 22% more than non-union workers, who average only $20.35 per hour.
Without union representation and a contract, an employer has
no obligation to provide you with benefits such as health care
coverage or retirement savings plans. For those of you who are
working nonunion, you know this is true now.
| Which Employees Receive Benefits |
Union Employees |
Non-Union Employees |
| Pension / Group RRSP |
82.8% |
32.9% |
| Supplemental Health Care |
83.7% |
44.4% |
| Dental Care |
77.0% |
41.9% |
| Paid Sick Leave |
77.2% |
44.7% |
| Paid Vacation Leave |
84.1% |
65.3% |
Source: Labour Force Survey
Without union representation, you can be fired for any reason
- or no reason at all. The IATSE has been successful in negotiating
contracts that provide protection for employees from being disciplined
or discharged by employers, without just cause. In addition, there
are representatives who, if you wish, can represent you in your
problems with management. You do not have to confront the employer
over his failure to properly pay you or for unfairly disciplining
you.
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