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Monday, April 3, 2023

Can an International Team Member Join a Union?

The short answer is yes, they can

There are several reasons why international employees are afraid of joining a union. But one of the reasons that stands out the most is the fear of putting their immigration status at risk.

But did you know that this fear is unfounded? Joining a union does not jeopardize your immigration status. Instead, it provides you with support to protect your rights in the workplace.

You have the legal right to join a union and engage in collective bargaining. An important thing to note is that the union does not work for the company or for the government. The union works for all employees regardless of whether they are international employees or not.

You cannot be fired because you decided to join a union or for voicing your opinions or bringing an issue to your manager. The union is here to support and protect the rights of all employees, including international ones. This includes support for fair wages, better benefits, fair treatment, and job security.

If you have a dispute with your manager, you can count on the union to represent you and ensure that your rights are being protected. You are protected by privacy laws, which means that whatever the union supports you with will remain private. By joining the union, you become part of a larger community of workers who are united in their efforts to improve working conditions and protect the rights of all employees.

Stewards are available in your workplace to represent you and support you when any issues arise. A steward is a workplace leader who acts on behalf of union members.

Your CLAC representatives are also here to assist you. If you still have concerns, you can consult your immigration lawyer to get more information about your rights under the law.