[exceprt from Busines to Business, by by Cyril Abbass]

When employees opt for a union, employers always ask why me? Because:
 

•  you have probably not been paying attention to your Employee's complaints;
•  Tough Red - is really just that "tough" and nobody wants to work with him;
•  you are not paying enough;
•  there is safety in numbers and your attitude towards Employee participation and suggestions has been frightening and your high handed dismissal policy makes people fearful for the safety of their jobs;
•  Unions are here to stay.
•  believe it or not, some people like the friendship and fraternity associated with belonging to a big Union; with its own hall, bowling league and burial fund.

In short a lot of Employers run the type of operation that literally cries out for unionization.

Today the Ontario Labour Relations Act, as well as similar acts in each of the other nine provinces along with Part V of the Canada Labour Code provides the legislative framework for collective bargaining.

The laws state that:

•  every person is free to join a Trade Union of his own choice but cannot be forced to join a Trade Union by intimidation or coercion.
•  where the Trade Union signs up as members, 45% to 55% of the employees in a plant or bargaining unit, there will be a secret ballot vote to determine if the majority of the employees want that Trade Union to represent them in bargaining with their employer as to the terms and conditions of their employment and their rate of pay.
•  where the Trade Union signs up as members, 55% or more of the Employees, then it will be certified as the bargaining agent of all the Employees in the plant or bargaining unit without a secret ballot vote being held.
•  the Employer must bargain with the Trade Union once it is certified and must make every reasonable effort to reach an agreement.

The main point of the legislation is that it is the Employees who are given the right to join together and bargain with the Employer as a group concerning the terms and conditions of their employment.

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