Friday, August 19, 2016

On Being "Union"

During the height of the industrial revolution in the 19th century, the abuse of workers was rampant. It seemed that unregulated capitalism would make slaves of us all.

Unions were borne out of the desperate need of workers to stand together and protect each other from capitalism’s worst effects. They have a long and proud history dating back over two centuries. Their limited power was mainly the use of the strike weapon—which probably hurt workers more than the employers.

Union members banded together out of a dire need for mutual aid and protection and helped each other out in times of disability and tragedy. They really had no choice because they didn’t have access to the social safety net we enjoy today.

It was not until the 20th century, when two world wars created scarcity in labour, that governments finally created a system of legal protection for unions and enshrined the right of workers to organize. These rights were won by a lot of hard work and sacrifice. Workers had each other’s backs in good times and bad. Workers were also engaged, attended meetings, and discussed the issues of the day that affected them and their families. In short, they generally took care of each other.

Sometimes, I despair that some of that original bond that workers had with each other has broken. As workers, we need to re-examine how we see ourselves in a union. Are we there only for what we can get out of it? Or are we there to serve each other?

If there’s one good thing that came out of the devastating Fort McMurray fires, it’s that members looked out for each other. I was so very proud of the fact that many CLAC members participated in our CLAC for Fort Mac campaign to help their fellow members living in Fort McMurray who were affected by the fires. It seems that tragedy does bring out the very best in us.

But perhaps we should be more alert to helping each other more often, rather than waiting for a catastrophe. There are members right in our own bargaining units who need help, who suffer from mental health issues or are struggling with addictions who need support. How are we dealing with them? Do we reach out to struggling single parents or recent immigrants or do we ignore them? The need for mutual aid and protection is still there.

Being union goes beyond negotiations, beyond grievances, beyond good wages, benefits, and retirement savings. It means we have each other’s back.

President Kennedy once famously said, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Is it also true that we should ask ourselves what we can do for our union, rather than what our union can do for us? It begs the question, who is the union? It’s not just our member centre, our steward, or our rep. It’s all of us, banding together to make our workplaces and lives better for everyone.

On Being "Union"

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