Executive Updates

Why Unions Matter

There has been a lot in the press in recent months that is negative towards unions. How they destroy jobs, discourage investment, or result in inefficient workplaces. Public sector unions (like ASPA) have been particularly under attack in both Canada and the US since 2008 when the global economy suffered a recession.

The article titled "Why unions matter" by Bruce Campbell and Armine Yalnizyan examine the history and importance of unions in Canada and around the world.

They state that "No country has ever achieved widespread prosperity and created a large middle class without strong unions" and go on to remind us of some of the rights that unions have won for both non-unionized and unionized workers. For example: an 8 hour work day, weekends, workplace safety standards, and public pensions such as the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP).

It is worth the time to read their entire article, and to consider how the role of unions has continued to evolve in recent years.