Unions

Unions create lazy workers. NO TO TEAMSTERS!! Unions are now an anachronism. Unions are a dying breed. We already have labor laws covering all aspects of the work force. Thank You. Zack.

Teamsters Response:

 

Let me address your comments.
 
1. You said union workers are lazy....Just because a group of people decide to unionize does not make them “lazy”. I would not call the workers at UPS or Purolator lazy….they are men and women doing a fair days work for a fair days pay. Remember the average Canadian worker makes 30% more than a non-union worker in the same industry thus the unionized worker has to work every bit as hard to justify the difference in personal wealth.
 
2. You say unions are a dying breed...It's true that union density went down in the USA but that didn't happen in Canada?.....If you goggle that information you will find that about 34% of Canadians are unionized and that statistic has remained constant over the last 30 years. Teamsters Canada has grown with a gain of 20,000 members in the last decade. Teamsters Canada has over 125,000 members.
 
3. You say Labour Laws protect you so you don’t need a union….there are some regulations that govern minimum wages, over-time and safety but as a non-union employee the company can lay you off how they see fit. In other words the law doesn’t cover seniority.
 
 
Also the company can reduce your wages at anytime…..the law doesn’t cover that
 
The company can reduce or eliminate your pension at anytime…..the law doesn’t cover that
 
The company can assign vacations and days-off how they want…..the law doesn’t cover that
 
The company can hire “casual” employees with no benefits….the law doesn’t cover that
 
 
The only thing that protects the above from happening is by forming a union and negotiating a contract.
‹ How long to get to top rate at Purolator and UPS I hear you about benefits but will you also be working on working conditions( example: days off and vacation system)? ›

The Real Story about union dues

  1. The Canada Labour Code says that $5 is required for the sign-up process.
  2. There are no initiation fees when you join Teamsters Canada.
  3. You start paying union dues only when you obtain your first collective agreement.