ror.org/013fsnh78
Abstracts
Summary
Income inequality has risen in Canada with the decline in union density and, thus, in union influence. Both trends have occasioned various proposals to reform federal and provincial labour relations systems, especially those aspects concerning certification. However, most proposals have been based on minor modifications to the Wagner Model of exclusive, majoritarian representation. To realize the full potential of these reform proposals, including, importantly, the likes of ‘broad-based bargaining,’ we contend that union membership should be the default option for new workers. Such a change would enable these proposals to increase absolute and relative levels of union membership, thereby providing the organizing resources (financial, human) required for much higher levels of union influence. In this study, we show that those living in Canada generally support union membership by default and would not opt out afterwards. We believe this popular support justifies making union membership automatic for new workers.
Abstract
Union density has declined in Canada and, with it, wage inequality has risen, occasioning various proposals to reform the certification systems operating provincially and federally. However, such proposals are ordinarily based on only minor changes to the Wagner Model. We contend that to realize the full potential of these proposals, union membership by default is required to increase union membership levels. In this study, we show that those living in Canada generally support union membership as the default option and would not opt out afterwards. We believe this popular support justifies more comprehensive study of the proposal to make union membership automatic for new workers.
Keywords:
- Unions,
- certification,
- union membership,
- labour relations,
- collective bargaining
Résumé
L’inégalité des revenues s’accroît au Canada avec la baisse de la syndicalisation et, ainsi, celle de l’influence des syndicats. Ces deux tendances ont donné lieu à diverses propositions de réforme qui surgissent autant au niveau fédéral qu’aux niveaux provinciaux et qui concernent surtout l'accréditation syndicale. Cependant, la plupart d’entre elles préconisent des modifications mineures du modèle Wagner de représentation exclusive et majoritaire. Pour réaliser le plein potentiel de ces propositions, y compris, ce qui est important, la négociation plus ou moins sectorielle, nous soutenons que l'adhésion à un syndicat devrait être l'option par défaut pour les nouveaux travailleurs. Les réformes proposées permettraient ainsi d’hausser les niveaux absolus et relatifs d'adhésion syndicale, fournissant de ce fait les ressources d'organisation (financières, humaines) nécessaires pour augmenter considérablement l’influence des syndicats. Dans cette étude, nous montrons que les Canadiens appuient généralement l'adhésion à un syndicat par défaut et ne s’en retireraient pas par la suite. Nous estimons que ce soutien populaire justifie qu’on étudie de manière plus complète la proposition d’automatiser l’adhésion syndicale des nouveaux travailleurs.
Mots-clés :
- Syndicats,
- accréditation,
- membership,
- relations de travail,
- négociation collective
Appendices
References
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