1. A union is a group of workers working in a similar craft or industry.
UNIONS
WHAT IS A UNION?
A union is a group of workers working in a similar craft or industry.
A union is a group of workers working in a similar craft or industry.

2. In Canada
…they define, promote & fight for the collective interests and rights of workers

3. WHY WERE UNIONS FORMED?
WORKING CONDITIONS: Working conditions from 1800 to 1900

4. On Site Living Conditions
Employers provided bunk houses on site, for employees and families
“Workers regularly complained about wretched conditions in overcrowded, unsanitary work camps.”

5. Child Labour: Children as young as six years old
worked hard for little or no pay.
By 1810 in the USA, about 2,000,000
children were working 50 to 70 hours
per week.
Children sometimes worked up to 19
hours a day, with a one-hour total
break.

6. A common punishment for being late or not working up to quota would be to be "weighted."
A heavy weight was tied to a child’s neck and they had to walk up and down the factory aisles for up to an hour, for all to see.

7. Working conditions:
No Safety Policy –There were horrible working conditions.
Large, heavy, and dangerous equipment was very common for workers, including children, to be using or working near.
Severe injuries causing death, and amputations were common. :
Carpenters Sawing a Log

8. WORKING IN A GLASS FACTORY

9. Working in a coal mine

10. Breaker boys in a coal mine
Breaker boys picked out impure rock as they sat over a conveyor belt of moving rock
Forced to work without gloves for better handling of coal and sharp slate, leaving fingers cut and bleeding
Body parts amputated (fingers, feet, hands, arms and legs got caught under conveyor belts or in conveyor belt gears
Boys were caught in gears of the machinery but their bodies were retrieved at the end of the day
Dust caused black lung disease

11. Boys working in a mill

12. Sewing clothes in a factory

13. Working conditions
Many accidents occurred, injuring or killing children on the job.
“The Nine Hour Movement” in 1872—sought to reduce the 12 hour day to 9 hours.
(Strike in Toronto and Hamilton against George Brown, the Toronto Printer. So in 1872, Sir John A. MacDonald P.M. passed The Trade Unions Act that made unions legal.

14. Children Working in a fabric mill

15. History of Unions
Employees did not always have the right to be represented by a union
Collective negotiating of wages was a criminal act in the past
In 1872 – Trade Union Act – unions could register & not be prosecuted, however, the Act did not protect unions.
Not a single union could make use of this law because the conditions of registration were so oppressive.
In the 1930s union activity was finally deemed not to be in violation of civil restraint of trade.

16. In 1919, there was a lot of unrest among Canadian workers due to the following reasons:
Canadians were afraid of losing their jobs
Living costs were high, and workers wanted higher pay
Workers wanted a shorter work day
Some employers would not allow workers to organize unions
Some employers refused to deal with the unions that were organized
Some employers joined together with others to bargain as a group

17. Unions helped improve working conditions for all workers
In 1919, there was a lot of unrest among Canadian workers due to the following reasons:
(Continued)
Canadian workers did not trust the government
Poor housing and a shortage of housing for workers existed
Freedom of speech for the press was restricted
The display of wealth by the rich made workers resentful
There was a lack of equal education opportunities
Unions helped improve working conditions for all workers

18. Why have a union?
The purpose is to improve economic & social conditions of workers through collective bargaining with an employer
Union members can achieve more by acting collectively rather than as individuals
Within a union, frequent meetings & voting determines the policies of the union

19. Job benefits…
Life Insurance
Vacation Pay
Holiday Pay
Medical Care
Retirement Plans
Education Assistance Programs
Non-Production Bonuses
Employee Assistance Programs
Healthcare Reimbursement Accounts
Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
Wellness Programs Job-Related Travel And Accident Insurance Employer Assistance For Childcare Fitness Centers Long Term Care Insurance Adoption Assistance Stock Options Subsidized Commuting Flexible Workplace Employer Provided Personal Computer

20. Pros and Cons Of Unions Cons Pros
Democratic vote (may not agree with the majority)
Strike
Lock out by employer
Layoffs (loss of jobs)
Production moves out of country (China, Singapore, Mexico etc.)
Company goes out of business
Higher production costs=outsourcing
Union dues $
Monthly union meetings
Better pay
Job security
Benefits
Representation by union representatives if have a grievance (complaint)
Safer working conditions and training
Better working hours
Fairness among workers
Democratic (vote on things)