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Chapter Twelve

Unions in Today’s Economy

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Advocate for Rights and Freedoms

• Today’s labour movement is focusing on:–Social and economic policy issues–Equity programs

CLC- Canadian Labour Congress Action Plan- page 371

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The New Economy

• Dealing with Economic Change:– Traditionally strong hold of unions-

manufacturing, natural resources & Public sector

– Goal of protecting job losses & increasing job security in the manufacturing & primary sectors

– Organizing the “new” economy: knowledge and service sectors

– Increase in contract & temp employees, PT

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Demographic Impact

Baby Boomers: 1947 -1966 • as older union members retire, union renewal-

both at the leadership and rank and file levels- will be important for the future of unions

Increases in ethnic & racial composition of the Canadian Labour market:

• Understanding of collective agreement language for English as a 2nd language

• Negotiating for non-Christian holidays

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Demographic Impact

Youth- meeting the needs & organizing youth

Young workers | CUPE• Recent study- Can. youth under 25 have a

stronger desire for unionization than those older than 25

• However- actual unionization rate is much lower for youths

• Queuing Model: idea that unions cannot represent all employees who seek unionization, resulting in a queue