Thursday, April 3, 2025

A Lesson in Unity

Workers, businesses, and nations thrive when they choose collaboration over confrontation

By Ben Timmermans, Representative

The recent trade tensions between the United States and Canada, marked by tariffs and retaliatory measures, have created unnecessary divisions between two nations that share deep economic, social, and cultural ties. While government officials engage in disputes over trade policy, an important truth is starting to emerge: collaboration yields better long term results than constant conflict.

In CLAC’s 73 years of working hard for Canadians, we know this and have a proven track record built on this very premise. That’s why we’re a union that works—we work for our members, we work for our communities, we work for our country.

We know how easy it is to get stuck in the old, traditional style of conflict resolution, but unsurprisingly it often just leads to more conflict and very little progress. For unions, the lessons from this trade war are clear. The old-school approach to labour relations—where every interaction with management is treated as a battle—doesn’t serve workers well.

Instead, unions that focus on partnership and problem-solving can secure better wages, benefits, and working conditions while ensuring businesses remain strong. Just as labour and management must find common ground to succeed, so too must Canada and the US approach trade disputes with a mindset of mutual benefit, rather than a zero-sum mentality where one side wins and the other loses.

Tariffs and trade wars don’t just affect corporations—they hit workers the hardest. Higher tariffs lead to increased costs for manufacturers, which in turn affects production, jobs, and wages. In industries that rely on cross-border trade—such as automotive manufacturing, steel, and agriculture—these disputes threaten thousands of livelihoods.

Consider auto workers who are part of an integrated supply chain. A disruption in trade creates instability for workers in both countries, making jobs less secure and cutting into business profits that could have been reinvested in better wages and working conditions.

In the agricultural sector, Canadian farmers depend on US machinery, and American farmers rely on Canadian buyers for their products. When tariffs disrupt these relationships, it’s the workers and small business owners—not the policymakers—who suffer most.

This economic interdependence mirrors labour-management dynamics. When businesses thrive, workers benefit through job stability and fair compensation. When unions and management collaborate, both parties gain.

The alternative—perpetual conflict—leads to job losses, stagnation, and unnecessary hardship. The lesson is clear: working together, even through disagreements, is the best path forward.

Canadians and Americans overwhelmingly support a cooperative relationship. Public opinion surveys consistently show that people in both countries see each other as allies and economic partners, not rivals. Workers in both nations understand that their economic well-being is tied to a stable and fair-trade environment.

Similarly, unions that prioritize collaboration over confrontation create stronger workplaces. A winner-take-all approach to labour negotiations can lead to drawn-out disputes, work stoppages, and economic harm to both employees and employers. By contrast, unions that work positively and constructively with management can secure fair agreements that benefit all parties.

A great example is the cooperative model used by CLAC to secure industry-setting wages and benefits while holding regular joint labour-management meetings, where the union and employer jointly develop strategies to improve working conditions while keeping businesses competitive. This approach ensures long term job security, better pay, and a seat at the table for workers—without the destructive consequences of constant conflict.

Just as unions must seek to build productive relationships with management, Canada and the US must work to resolve trade tensions through dialogue, not escalation. The long term prosperity of both nations depends on maintaining open markets and strong economic ties. Instead of retaliatory tariffs that harm workers and businesses, both countries should focus on negotiating fair trade agreements that protect jobs, support industries, and promote economic stability.

Similarly, in labour relations, the focus should be on securing agreements that benefit workers while keeping companies strong. Unions that embrace a collaborative approach can help ensure that workers have fair wages, safe workplaces, and a voice in decision-making, all while keeping businesses successful. The outdated mindset of constant opposition serves no one.

The US-Canada trade dispute serves as a reminder that we all do better when we work together. Whether it’s unions and employers sitting down at the bargaining table or two nations negotiating trade policies, the goal should always be mutual success, not destruction. At CLAC, we advocate for policies and labour strategies that reflect our shared interests—stability, fairness, and prosperity to ensure sustainable economic growth.

In the end, both sides of this trade conflict—and labour relations more broadly—must recognize a simple truth: we are stronger together. Workers, businesses, and nations thrive when they choose collaboration over confrontation. It’s time to move past outdated models of division and embrace a future built on partnership, mutual respect, and shared success.

A Lesson in Unity

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