How to Join
So, just how do you create or protect a fair promotion system, job security, seniority provisions, employer contributions to a pension plan or group RRSP, employer-paid health insurance, and more? By joining CLAC.
Change in your workplace reality begins with you. And it’s your right to unionize without punishment or retaliation. No matter your industry or occupation, joining CLAC means introducing your workplace to a dynamic and positive force for progressive labour relations.
Click on your province of work below to see how to bring CLAC into your workplace.
Alberta
- Know Your Rights: Contact one of our Alberta regional offices to arrange a confidential meeting with one of our reps. You’ll learn how provincial or federal labour laws apply to your workplace, and you’ll learn more about organizing a union in your workplace.
- Join CLAC: Sign an employee petition. Signed petitions are confidential, and your employer will not be told who supports the union.
- You and Your Co-Workers Decide: When a sufficient number of non-management employees have signed petition cards (minimum of forty percent, under Alberta law), CLAC can apply to the Alberta Labour Relations Board to conduct a secret-ballot vote to allow employees to vote for or against becoming unionized. If more than fifty percent of those who vote support the union, your workplace becomes represented by CLAC.
- Negotiate For Your Rights: Once we're certified to represent you, negotiations for a first collective agreement can begin. You and your fellow workers will meet with your experienced representative to draft contract proposals, elect a bargaining committee, and schedule negotiation dates with your employer.
- Choose Your Stewards: Once a contract is in place, you will elect union stewards who will be trained as your front-line union representatives. Together with our staff, your stewards will ensure the terms of the contract are followed, grievances are dealt with, and your voice is heard.
Ready to discover just how good going to work can be?
Call one of our knowledgeable Alberta reps today to start the process, or read on to learn more about organizing your workplace.
British Columbia
- Know Your Rights: Contact one of our BC regional offices to arrange a confidential meeting with one of our reps. You’ll learn how provincial or federal labour laws apply to your workplace, and you’ll learn more about organizing a union in your workplace.
- Join CLAC: Sign a union membership card. Signed cards are confidential, and your employer will not be told who supports the union.
- You and Your Co-Workers Decide: When a sufficient number of non-management employees have signed up (minimum of forty-five percent, under BC law), CLAC can apply to the BC Labour Relations Board to conduct a secret-ballot vote to allow employees to vote for or against becoming unionized. If more than fifty percent of those who vote support the union, your workplace becomes represented by CLAC.
- Negotiate For Your Rights: Once we're certified to represent you, negotiations for a first collective agreement can begin. You and your fellow workers will meet with your experienced representative to draft contract proposals, elect a bargaining committee, and schedule negotiation dates with your employer.
- Choose Your Stewards: Once a contract is in place, you will elect union stewards who will be trained as your front-line union representatives. Together with our staff, your stewards will ensure the terms of the contract are followed, grievances are dealt with, and your voice is heard.
Ready to discover just how good going to work can be?
Call one of our knowledgeable BC reps today to start the process, or read on to learn more about organizing your workplace.
Manitoba
- Know Your Rights: Contact the Winnipeg office to arrange a confidential meeting with one of our reps. You’ll learn how provincial or federal labour laws apply to your workplace, and you’ll learn more about organizing a union in your workplace.
- Join CLAC: Sign a union membership card. Signed cards are confidential, and your employer will not be told who supports the union.
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You and Your Co-Workers Decide: When a sufficient number of non-management employees have signed up (minimum of forty percent, under Manitoba law), CLAC can apply to the Manitoba Labour Board to conduct a secret-ballot vote to allow employees to vote for or against becoming unionized.* If more than fifty percent of those who vote support the union, your workplace becomes represented by CLAC.
* If more than sixty-five percent of employees sign a union membership card, the Manitoba Labour Board will automatically certify the unit. - Negotiate For Your Rights: Once we're certified to represent you, negotiations for a first collective agreement can begin. You and your fellow workers will meet with your experienced representative to draft contract proposals, elect a bargaining committee, and schedule negotiation dates with your employer.
- Choose Your Stewards: Once a contract is in place, you will elect union stewards who will be trained as your front-line union representatives. Together with our staff, your stewards will ensure the terms of the contract are followed, grievances are dealt with, and your voice is heard.
Ready to discover just how good going to work can be?
Call one of our knowledgeable Manitoba reps today to start the process, or read on to learn more about organizing your workplace.
Ontario
- Know Your Rights: Contact one of our Ontario regional offices to arrange a confidential meeting with one of our reps. You’ll learn how provincial or federal labour laws apply to your workplace, and you’ll learn more about organizing a union in your workplace..
- Join CLAC: Sign a membership application card. Signed cards are confidential, and your employer will not be told who supports the union.
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You and Your Co-Workers Decide: When a sufficient number of non-management employees have signed up (minimum of forty percent, under Ontario law), CLAC can apply to the Ontario Labour Relations Board to conduct a secret-ballot vote to allow employees to vote for or against becoming unionized.* If more than fifty percent of those who vote support the union, your workplace becomes represented by CLAC.
* In the construction sector, the union may be able to achieve certification without a vote if fifty-five percent or more of employees sign a membership application card. - Negotiate For Your Rights: Once we're certified to represent you, negotiations for a first collective agreement can begin. You and your fellow workers will meet with your experienced representative to draft contract proposals, elect a bargaining committee, and schedule negotiation dates with your employer.
- Choose Your Stewards: Once a contract is in place, you will elect union stewards who will be trained as your front-line union representatives. Together with our staff, your stewards will ensure the terms of the contract are followed, grievances are dealt with, and your voice is heard.
Ready to discover just how good going to work can be?
Call one of our knowledgeable Ontario reps today to start the process, or read on to learn more about organizing your workplace.
Saskatchewan
- Know Your Rights: Contact the Saskatoon office to arrange a confidential meeting with one of our reps. You’ll learn how provincial or federal labour laws apply to your workplace, and you’ll learn more about organizing a union in your workplace.
- Join CLAC: Sign a support card. Signed cards are confidential, and your employer will not be told who supports the union.
- You and Your Co-Workers Decide: When a sufficient number of non-management employees have signed up (minimum of forty-five percent, under Saskatchewan law), CLAC can apply to the Labour Relations Board to conduct a secret-ballot vote to allow employees to vote for or against becoming unionized. If more than fifty percent of those who vote support the union, your workplace becomes represented by CLAC.
- Negotiate For Your Rights: Once we're certified to represent you, negotiations for a first collective agreement can begin. You and your fellow workers will meet with your experienced representative to draft contract proposals, elect a bargaining committee, and schedule negotiation dates with your employer.
- Choose Your Stewards: Once a contract is in place, you will elect union stewards who will be trained as your front-line union representatives. Together with our staff, your stewards will ensure the terms of the contract are followed, grievances are dealt with, and your voice is heard.
Ready to discover just how good going to work can be?
Call one of our knowledgeable Saskatchewan reps today to start the process, or read on to learn more about organizing your workplace.
More About Rights & Negotiations
Whether you’re new to unions in general or just to a progressive union like ours, you’ll naturally have some questions. And while you’ll find answers to most of your questions in our Help area, we’ve singled out some common questions and specific information below to help you feel confident in joining CLAC:
Can my employer fire me?
Provincial and federal laws give workers the right to unionize without punishment or retaliation. If your employer tries to intimidate you in any way or terminates your employment, we’ll bring the full weight of the law to bear – regardless of whether the unionization campaign is successful or not. You're protected the moment you sign a membership application card.
Your employer has very limited rights to communicate its views on a union organizing campaign. Most employers know and accept this – if not, we will certainly inform them! We can and will protect you if your employer illegally punishes workers for supporting the union.
Should your employer respond negatively, keep a record of anything out of the ordinary during an organizing campaign. For example, obtain copies of bulletins and take note of any intimidating conversations with management, and report them to your CLAC rep.
It’s important you understand that threats of layoff, reduced hours, closure, or the dismissal of workers who talk union are illegal. Equally important to know is that CLAC-trained staff or legal counsel will be retained on behalf of anyone whose rights are violated.
Can my employer change my working conditions, cut the workforce, or take away my benefits and privileges?
No. The law forbids employers from making changes. A “freeze period” runs from the date of application for certification to a set date, or until a first contract is reached. Changes can only be made with the permission of the Labour Relations Board or the union during this freeze period.
How does the contract negotiation process work?
You and your fellow workers will meet with one of our experienced reps to draft contract proposals and elect members to a bargaining committee. We’ll give the committee access to our research on economic and bargaining trends in your industry and comparable workplaces. This committee and your CLAC rep will negotiate with your employer with the goal of obtaining the best possible settlement.
A settlement is only concluded once you and your fellow workers (or sometimes fellow local members) have ratified it by a majority in a membership vote.
What types of work conditions, benefits and other features are commonly included in a contract settlement?
While every settlement is different, your contract will ensure you enjoy strong representation and excellent work conditions, benefits, and wages, which often include:
- a fair promotion system
- a dispute resolution procedure
- fair wages
- job security and seniority provisions
- employer contributions to a pension plan or group RRSP
- a comprehensive employer-paid health insurance plan
- education and training opportunities
- vacation with pay
- paid holidays
- personal paid days or sick days
- pay for jury duty or coroner’s inquest
- allowances for uniforms, safety shoes/boots, and other mandated equipment
If you’d like the list above to describe your work reality, now’s the time to stand up for your workplace rights.
Call one of our knowledgeable regional reps today to start the process of transforming your workplace into one marked by progressive labour relations.
Take Action!
Call one of our knowledgeable regional reps today to start the process of transforming your workplace into one marked by progressive labour relations.