Why do so many workers unionize?
Workers who are members of a union negotiate higher wages than people without a union, enjoy better benefits and have more rights. They have also negotiated safer workplaces; they’re less likely to suffer harassment or discrimination and they get more respect. This is the “union advantage”. All workers are protected by employment standards laws, but unionized workers are able to use collective power to negotiate greater protections and improved wages and working conditions.
What does signing a union card mean?
It means you are applying for membership in the Canadian Union of Public Employees. It also means you want CUPE to legally represent you in collective bargaining with your Employer.
Can I be fired for signing a union card?
It is illegal for an employer to fire or suspend anyone for signing a union card or for being part of an organizing drive.
What are union dues?
Dues are tax-deductible and your dues rate would be set democratically by the members of your local union.
The rates vary because different local unions set different priorities. The average dues rate is 1.5%, deducted from each paycheque.
CUPE members also use their dues towards Union Education for CUPE members, house labour lawyers, researchers, pay equity specialists, and other resources.
Union dues are not applied to overtime or other premium pay.
Why do unionized workers go on strike?
The most power workers have is when they can credibly threaten a strike. CUPE members often “Prepare to Strike, Negotiate to Win!” That means while CUPE members hope to negotiate a fair collective agreement without escalation to a strike, they have the option to use their collective power through strike action if they choose to do so. Because strike power is so linked to negotiating power, CUPE members have built a healthy strike fund so that when a group of CUPE members decide to go out on strike, they are eligible for non-taxable weekly strike pay.
I would like a union in my workplace, but I don’t want to rock the boat.
Every employee has a legal and constitutional right to join a union of their choice. It is illegal for an Employer to interfere with, restrain, intimidate, threaten, discriminate against an employee that seeks to bring a union into their workforce. It is also against the law for an Employer to question workers about their support for a union. The union certification process is confidential, so Employers are not entitled to know who signed cards. Votes are held by secret ballot.
My Employer says the union can’t guarantee increased wages or better working conditions. Is that true?
It’s true that increased wages, improved benefits and working conditions have to be negotiated with the Employer after the union is certified by the Ontario Labour Relations Board. The statistics are clear though – on average unionized workers are paid significantly higher. Unionized workers are also more likely to have a pension plan and to enjoy better benefits and paid leaves.
The bottom line is that workers have more power to improve their working conditions when they come together collectively as a union. You will also have the support of experienced CUPE staff. A union will certainly improve your working conditions by bargaining for fair wages, better benefits, paid leaves, predictable schedules, protection from arbitrary dismissal and fair and transparent policies that apply to everyone.
Can casual employees be part of the union?
Many CUPE Locals include casuals and relief staff along with full-time and part-time employees. A union contract can set out fair rules for call-in work, and can give casual employees benefits. Many casuals really want a full-time job. A CUPE contract can set out a fair process so that casuals can move into vacant permanent or part-time jobs.
Will quality of care suffer if we unionize?
On the contrary, unionization results in better service, better care, and more public accountability. Having a union means employees have new resources to help us make the case for better funding, better work organization and workplace improvements. It also means workers are protected when they speak out about problems. Unions fight against cutbacks to save jobs but they’re also fighting to maintain (and improve) the quality of service. It’s the union members who see first hand how reduced services hurt the people they serve.
There are some things my Employer provides that I value. Can we lose them if we form a union?
The opposite is true. Without a union, the employer can change your benefits or hours of work at any time. It’s against the law for employers to retaliate against the union by taking away what you have now. Negotiating a union contract and bargaining for improvements is one way of securing the benefits you’ve gained so far.
My Employer is suggesting that CUPE is an outsider. Is that true?
CUPE is worker-led, democratic organization. It is made up of local unions all over the country, and each local union is run democratically by its members. Together, you and your co-workers are the union!