How often have you heard someone say they are tired of politics, or that it is all the same and nothing ever changes?\u00a0 As we approach Labour Day we should remember that so many of the gains we enjoy were hard-fought for and would never have come about if people succumbed to those sentiments.\u00a0 While people may not consider the work undertaken by organized labour as being political, it really is.\u00a0 That\u2019s because, in addition to localized workplace concerns such as bargaining on contracts, the labour movement contributes to our legislative agenda as well.\u00a0 Important concepts like work-place health and safety, maternity leave, and corporate responsibility are rooted in the political work led by organized labour.<\/p>\n
In most instances, the victories of the labour movement have had an effect on all work-places.\u00a0 Consider how the forty hour work week, child labour laws, and minimum wage are simply accepted norms.\u00a0 In their time, each of these was the product of hard work and even bitter, divisive struggles.\u00a0 But despite these gains that benefit so much of society, there are still politicians and public figures who stand in opposition to organized labour.\u00a0 They promote the notion that we have moved beyond the usefulness of our unions, but that idea only serves the interest of a very few, privileged people.<\/p>\n
The truth is that union participation is declining at the same time as income inequality is growing.\u00a0 This is more visible in the U.S. where the rate of private sector unionization has fallen to 10% from a high of 34% in 1979.\u00a0 There are academic studies that suggest the benefits of unionized pay structure extend well beyond union work places.\u00a0 Researchers at the University of Washington show that the biggest change would be for male workers without college degrees who would earn 9% more in non-unionized workplaces if union participation returned to 1979 rates.\u00a0 For those workers, unions have not outlived their usefulness.\u00a0 The drop in participation has increased the income divide at their expense and added to the ranks of the working poor.<\/p>\n
Union participation rates have also declined in Canada over the same period of time and only 16% of our private workplaces remain unionized.\u00a0 While that number is slightly better than in America, we can expect the same effect on wages for non-unionized workplaces as has occurred south of the border.\u00a0\u00a0 In addition to lower wages, more workers are getting by without pensions or benefit plans. This only places stress on our social safety net which ultimately cost us more as tax dollars are used to replace the wages, pensions, and benefits that could be the bed-rock of a stronger economy that works for more people.<\/p>\n
That is why we must not give in to the notion that we are tired of politics.\u00a0 It only serves the status quo without adding to the greater good.\u00a0\u00a0 Instead, we can take inspiration from the work undertaken by organized labour that has made our workplaces better in so many ways and commit ourselves to similar struggles.\u00a0 That will make a difference for us and for future generations.\u00a0 That is why it is important to celebrate our victories on Labour Day and remind ourselves that only hard work will create a better world.
\nHappy Labour Day!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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