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Workers Unions: What They Are And Why You Should Join One

16 March 2015 by Sebastian Warren

No matter what type of job you have, there is probably a workers union available for you to join. Workers unions are designed to protect employees in many ways, but joining a union is completely voluntary. If you work in an office job and are not yet part of a labour organization, you may want to consider looking for one to join.

What Is A Workers Union?

According to Working in Canada, there are currently over 1,000 unions in the entire country, and there are unions for almost any type of field you could possibly work in. Each union represents a group of people, who are employees working for various companies. You can join a workers union if you choose to, but most have dues you must pay.

If you are not sure whether to join a union or not, you may want to ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you unhappy with your current job conditions?
• Would you like to have more say in your wages and conditions of your current job?
• Are you ever concerned that you might lose your job and have trouble finding another?

If you answered yes to these questions, joining a workers union would be a good choice for you to make. When you are part of a union, you will not be alone when it comes to the issues relating to your job. You will be part of an organization that allows you to voice your questions and state your concerns, and through this you may be able to improve your workplace conditions.

How Do Unions Benefit Workers?

Approximately 30% of all workers in Canada are currently part of a workers union, and these individuals have joined because of the numerous benefits unions offer. Here are some of the key benefits you could experience by joining a workers union:

• Pay equality – Your union will fight on behalf of the members for equal pay, and the fighting usually pays off. According to the Canadian Labour Congress, women in unions made $6.89 more per hour than women that were not in a union. All employees in Canada that were part of a union made $5.17 more per hour on average than non-union workers.
• Improvement in job conditions – If you are dissatisfied with the number of hours you are working, or with the conditions of your workplace, you can let your union know. The union will fight for you to get improvements in these areas, and you will not have to worry about handling the negotiations yourself.
• Better healthcare – In Canada, healthcare is publicly funded; however, it typically only includes coverage for the basic necessities. It does not usually offer coverage for dental or vision services, but you can often get these types of additional coverages through the union you are part of.
• Job security – The assurance of knowing that your job is secure is highly important to most people, especially for single parents that are trying to raise children. When you are part of a union, you will not have to worry as much about losing your job. If you do lose your job, or if you have to go on strike for better wages (or anything else), your union might pay you a portion of your normal wages.

Unions are not for everyone, but they are extremely helpful for most people. When you become part of a workers union, you can have a group of people around you that will support you and help you with your job. If you would like to learn more about unions, contact a labour organization that offers a workers union for the type of job that you have.

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