Friday, January 19, 2018

CLAC Applauds Unifor's Move to Hold Unions Accountable

Unifor’s decision to disaffiliate from the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) is a bold and necessary move for the Canadian labour scene and Canadian workers.

Jerry Dias, Unifor’s national president, explained in a letter to Hassan Yussuff, president of the CLC, that Unifor is leaving because CLC-union affiliates have forgotten the principles of worker choice. Dias claimed the break from Canada’s largest federation of unions is also due to the CLC’s inability to deal with two recent instances of US-based unions imposing trusteeship on their Canadian locals.

“CLAC offers its congratulations and encouragement to Unifor’s leadership as they make a stand for worker choice,” says Wayne Prins, CLAC executive director. “All of Dias’s complaints are consistent with criticisms that CLAC has been outspoken about since 1952.”

For too long, CLC member unions have opted for protectionism over real democracy, to the detriment of the union movement. The CLC constitution amounts to a no-raid pact and is used to fend off any real dissent from the workers they represent.

“When workers have access to a range of labour options, union leaders are held accountable to their members because they can’t rely on no-raid pacts to keep their membership from leaving,” says Prins. “A union that is willing to be held accountable to its members is a union that must work harder to establish trust with its members, must be transparent in its conduct, and must provide real value in exchange for union dues.”

By leaving the CLC, Unifor’s members join one million other workers in Canada who are already represented by proudly independent unions, such as CLAC. In fact, independent unions represent 20 percent of unionized workers.

Independent unions desire to see unions thrive so that more Canadian workers can enjoy the benefits, influence, and support that comes from being a part of a strong union. This goal cannot be achieved by prohibiting workers from collectively choosing the union that will best represent their interests.

“Union density in Canada has been stagnant, or in decline for many years,” says Prins. “Perhaps once CLC member unions opt to be held accountable to their members, and work to provide real value to their members, Canada’s labour unions might reclaim their prominent place within the Canadian workplace, which will benefit all workers.”

CLAC Applauds Unifor's Move to Hold Unions Accountable

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