How much does it cost to be a member of a union

For UFCW Canada members, union dues are determined by a local union’s by-laws, which can only be changed by a vote from members. This means that UFCW members set their own union dues through a democratic process. It is also important to note that union dues can vary by job classification, hours worked, from workplace to workplace, union to union, and local to local, so it is impossible to put an exact cost on union membership.

Why would I want to join a union?

By joining the union and becoming a UFCW Canada member, you will have the power to make your employer negotiate a collective agreement that ensures you get good pay, better benefits, and respect on the job.

With the union in your corner, and a good collective agreement on your side, you’ll be able to build a better life for you and your family.

Is it worth joining a union at work?

It is definitely worth joining a union at work. Unionized workers enjoy significant advantages over their non-unionized counterparts, including safer and fairer workplaces, better pay and benefits, more work-life balance, and regular wage increases. Union members also tend to have more predictable schedules than non-unionized workers and are more likely to have a pension as well.

When it comes to pay, the union advantage is clear, as unionized workers in Canada earn an average of $5.14 more per hour than non-union workers. For women in unions, the difference is even greater, as women union members earn $6.88 more per hour than women workers who do not belong to a union. The same holds true for young workers, as workers under age 25 earn 26 percent more from jobs covered by a collective agreement compared to young workers who are not unionized.

Can you be fired for joining a union?

Your employer can speak to you about the union, but under the law they are not allowed to threaten, coerce, discriminate, make promises, impose a penalty, or do anything that stops you from making a free decision on union representation.

In every province in Canada, it is a violation of provincial labour law to terminate or discriminate against an employee for exercising their right to join a union. Your employer is also not allowed to use intimidation or coercion against you during a union organizing drive.

What is the best union to join?

The best union to join is UFCW Canada.

As a member of UFCW Canada, you will have full access to all UFCW Canada member benefits, services, and programs.

These include not just the benefits and protections that are negotiated in your contract with the employer (such as wage rates, working conditions, promotions, grievance procedures, pensions, vacations, etc.), but much more – including scholarship programs, education and training opportunities, and outreach programs ranging from member assistance to charitable activities.

Your UFCW Canada Local Union is responsible for the enforcement of your collective agreement with your employer, as well as handling day-to-day workplace issues. The UFCW Canada National Office, meanwhile, provides a variety of services to support the efforts of your UFCW Canada Local Union.

How do you get a union at your job?

You can get a union at your job by contacting UFCW Canada to join the union. When you contact UFCW Canada, you will be able to speak with a UFCW organizer who can help you and your co-workers join a union. The organizer will also ensure that your right to join a union is protected – because you cannot be disciplined, discriminated against, or terminated for joining a union. And remember, all contact with UFCW Canada is 100 percent confidential.

What are the disadvantages of unions and union membership?

There are no disadvantages to being a member of a union. Rather, union members enjoy significant advantages over their non-unionized counterparts. These advantages include a safer and fairer workplace, better pay and benefits, work-life balance, and regular wage increases. Union members also tend to have more predictable schedules than non-unionized workers and are more likely to have a pension as well. And when it comes to pay, the union advantage is clear, as unionized workers in Canada earn an average of $5.14 more per hour than non-union workers.

Is it illegal to unionize?

In Canada, most workers in most industries have the legal right to join a union. This right, also known as freedom of association, is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

To learn whether workers in your industry have the right to unionize, contact a UFCW Canada organizer today. Remember, all contact with UFCW Canada is treated as strictly confidential.

What are the benefits of being a union member?

The benefits of being a union member include improved working conditions; greater bargaining power to negotiate better wages, benefits, pensions, and vacation; protection against unjust discipline and management harassment; a voice for safe and healthy working conditions; respect in the workplace; overtime pay; seniority rights when it comes to scheduling, vacation, and job security; and when you join UFCW Canada, opportunities for training, college and university scholarships, and free online courses.

How much do union workers make an hour?

The wages of unionized workers vary by industry, occupation, hours worked, and from union to union, but on average, unionized workers in Canada make $5.14 more per hour than non-union workers.

For women in unions, the difference is even greater, as women union members earn $6.88 more per hour than women workers who do not belong to a union.

The union advantage is also significant for young workers, as workers under age 25 earn 26 percent more from jobs covered by a collective agreement compared to young workers who are not unionized.

Why do union jobs pay so much?

In Canada, workers with unionized jobs make more than non-union workers because unionized employees have the ability to collectively bargain their wages with their employer. This opportunity to negotiate fair pay and other benefits results in a major advantage for unionized workers, who on average make $5.14 more per hour than non-union employees.

Why are union jobs good?

Unionized jobs are good jobs because they provide workers with better working conditions, negotiated pay raises, better prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage, and more paid vacation and sick days than non-union jobs.

With a unionized job, you have a dispute procedure in place to legally protect yourself against unfair discipline or dismissal. Unionized workers also enjoy better pension benefits, protection against management harassment, and seniority rights when it comes to scheduling, vacation, and job security.

UFCW Canada members also have exclusive access to college and university scholarships, education and training opportunities, and group discounts on home and life insurance, travel, car rentals, legal services, and cell phone plans.

The union advantage is clear and significant. If you and your co-workers are interested in joining the union and gaining the union advantage, contact UFCW Canada today.

Do you have to tell your employer if you join a union?

You and your co-workers are not required to tell your employer that you have joined a union, or that an organizing drive is taking place.

UFCW Canada encourages workers who are interested in joining the union to organize after work and off work premises, and to avoid discussing unionization with your co-workers during paid work hours. If you want to join the union, the first thing to do is to contact a UFCW Canada organizer to ensure your rights are protected.

Should you join a union?

You should join a union if you want to enjoy the “union advantage” that unionized workers have over non-unionized workers. That advantage includes better pay and benefits, enhanced workplace health and safety, and retirement security, among other benefits.

By exercising your right to join a union, you can take control of your wages and working conditions and make sure that you and your co-workers are treated with dignity and respect.

Is it better to have a union job?

It is better to have a unionized job than a non-union one, as unionized workers enjoy good pay, fair benefits, stable hours, and respect on the job. With a union in your corner, you have a voice in the workplace, and a collective agreement that governs your working conditions and ensures you are protected from mistreatment by management.

Do unions really help employees?

Unions help employees by empowering workers to come together to negotiate fair wages and benefits, safe workplaces, and decent work hours that are governed and protected by a collective bargaining agreement. Unions also help employees by winning better pay – on average, $5.14 more per hour than non-union employees – that workers then invest in their communities. Finally, unions help employees by ensuring that they have enough hours to allow for a good paycheque, shifts that fit their schedule, and good benefits that can help workers and their families lead a healthy life.

Why do employers not want unions?

The reason why employers don’t want unions and often speak badly about them is because they don’t want to give up power and control to you, the worker. But we know that workers are the ones who make their company successful in the first place. That is why workers and their unions deserve to have a voice at the table, and a say over working conditions, pay, and benefits. It’s the right thing to do, and it’s the fair thing to do.

Why would you form a union?

You would form a union if you want better working conditions, negotiated pay raises, better prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage, and if you want to put an end to unfair treatment and discrimination in your workplace.

To learn more about other good reasons for forming a union, visit UFCW Canada’s Join the Union webpage.

What do union dues pay for?

Your union dues pay for a wide range of benefits, services, and programs that are available to you as a union member. These include:

• Negotiating your conditions of work in a legally binding collective bargaining agreement;

• Seeking  your feedback on workplace decisions that affect you as a worker;

• Requiring your employer to abide by an agreed-upon set of working conditions laid out in your collective agreement;

• Providing you with wage protection, job security, and respect and dignity at work;

• Protecting you against employer favouritism, from unfair treatment by your employer, and from having your wages, benefits, and working conditions unilaterally changed by your employer without notice;

• Providing you with a benefit plan, a safe and healthy workplace, and access to heath and safety specialists who can answer your questions and concerns;

• Representing you in grievances and arbitrations, and issues or disputes regarding the Canada Pension Plan, Employment Insurance, and workers’ compensation; and

• Offering education courses to union stewards, members, and family members.

It is also worth remembering that union dues are 100 percent tax deductible when you file your taxes for the year.

What is a union?

A union is a membership-based workers’ organization that leads and is empowered by the voice and goals of its members. A union negotiates collective bargaining agreements that govern members’ working conditions, pay, benefits, and scheduling; resolves health and safety issues and disputes in the workplace; empowers members through education, training, and opportunities to get involved in their union; and engages in community and political action to improve the lives of all workers, not just union members.

Are unions good?

Unions have historically been very good for workers as they are attributed with the rise of Canada’s middle class and the general prosperity of our country. By helping more workers achieve decent wages with better job security, unions are largely responsible for stabilizing the economy and stimulating its growth. Because of unions, more working people can afford houses, nutritious food, clothing, cars, and other consumer goods. Increased demand for these products creates more jobs and spurs further economic growth.

Workers who are paid well and enjoy job security can afford to pay taxes to support the growth of public services, such as schools, roads, clean water, police services, electricity, and health care. In this respect, even people who have never belonged to a union benefit from the existence of good union jobs in their communities.

Canada has a relatively high rate of unionization and is one of the most prosperous countries in the world. This is in large part because unionized workers make more money, spend more money, and create more jobs with their spending.

As well, union pensions help workers and their families retire comfortably and allow retirees to continue contributing to the economy in their golden years. And the health care benefits that many union members enjoy – such as dental care, prescription drugs, optical care, and physiotherapy – create healthier families and a more productive citizenry.

Are unions democratic?

The process of joining the union and ratifying your collective agreement is likely the most democratic experience you will ever encounter. YOU decide to sign a union card, to vote for your union, to elect your union negotiating committee, to tell your committee what needs to be achieved in negotiations, to vote on your collective agreement, and elect your workplace representatives.

In addition, unions in Canada are regulated by federal and provincial legislation and are required by law to be democratic and financially accountable to their members. All unions have constitutions that must be registered with government labour boards. There are well over one hundred different unions in Canada, but UFCW Canada is the leading union for private sector workers.

Some examples of items and matters that union members typically vote on include collective bargaining agreements, changes to a union’s constitution or by-laws, elections for union officers, and changes to a union contract.

Can a union help me?

A union can help you by providing you with a written contract that spells out your rights, job security, and benefits; by ensuring that you cannot be fired without just cause; by providing you with shop stewards and union representatives who can help protect your rights in the workplace; by fighting for higher wages and better working conditions for you and your co-workers; by empowering you to challenge injustices at work through a grievance procedure that is written into your contract; by securing improved holidays, better vacation entitlements, and overtime pay for you and your colleagues; and by winning you health and welfare benefits, such as vision care, dental care, life insurance, and a pension plan.

What do unions do?

Unions build worker power by helping members stand together for better wages, fair benefits, safe and healthy workplaces, and stable work hours. Unions also help workers gain more rights and power in their workplace – and have more of a say over their working conditions – by serving as a counterbalance to management. As well, unions help strengthen communities by winning higher pay and benefits for members, which are then invested in the local economy.

Indeed, many of the things that were first won by workers and their unions are now enjoyed – and in some cases taken for granted – by all workers today. They include minimum wages, overtime pay, workplace health and safety standards, maternity and parental leave, vacation pay, and protection from discrimination and harassment, among other benefits.

What happens when you unionize?

Every union organizing drive starts with workers signing union cards. Certifying a union is a process that varies in each province, and different rules apply to federally regulated workplaces. Before starting an organizing drive, you should contact the union to find out which laws apply to you and your co-workers.

There are two different systems for workers to organize themselves into a union: automatic certification and a representation vote.

Automatic certification means that once a certain number of workers sign union cards, the workplace is automatically unionized. This is currently the law in Quebec and for federally regulated workers. Some labour boards also have the power to automatically certify the union in cases where an employer has violated the rights of employees.

In a representation vote certification, the union must convince between 40 to 100 percent of the workers to sign union cards. Once the union has shown the labour board that it has the support of the workers, there will be a government-supervised secret ballot vote. If the vote is in favour of the union, it becomes the official bargaining agent for the workers.

Are unions dead?

The idea that unions are dead is a myth, as total union membership increased in Canada the last time the federal government published nationwide data on unionization rates (2015).

According to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), “the total number of workers paying dues to a union in Canada was 4.83 million at the end of 2015, up from 4.75 million at the end of 2014. Union dues-paying workers comprised 31.8% of all employees in Canada in 2015, an increase of 0.3 percentage points from 2014.”

Statistics on union membership in Canada also reveal that unionization rates have remained relatively stable over the long term, with unionized workers comprising 33.9 percent of all employees in Canada in 1999, compared to 31.8 percent of all workers in 2015.

With respect to UFCW, thanks to our sustained efforts to help more workers join a union, UFCW Canada has welcomed 50,000 new members over the last ten years. Clearly, then, unions are not dead in Canada, and unions like UFCW continue to grow at an impressive rate.

What is the difference between a public and private sector union?

Generally speaking, a public sector union represents employees who work in the public sector, including government employees (public administration), teachers, social service workers, firefighters, sanitation workers, police officers, and outdoor workers.

A private sector union – like UFCW Canada – represents employees who work for private sector companies, like grocery retailers, food manufacturing companies, hotels, breweries, rental car agencies, beverage producers, restaurants, and security companies, among others.

That said, there are instances where a private sector union represents employees working in the public sector, and vice versa.

How does collective bargaining work?

After the union is certified as the official bargaining agent, negotiations for a first union contract will begin. Members of the union hold meetings to decide on contract proposals that will be put forward to the employer. The negotiating committee consists of elected or appointed members from the workplace, as well as union representatives. They make decisions regarding the negotiating process.

The union negotiating committee puts forward contract proposals that address issues such as wages, hours of work, medical benefits, dental and pension benefits, vacation, the grievance procedure, seniority, and promotions.

After the union is certified as the official bargaining agent, negotiations for a first union contract will begin. Members of the union hold meetings to decide on contract proposals that will be put forward to the employer. The negotiating committee consists of elected or appointed members from the workplace, as well as union representatives. They make decisions regarding the negotiating process.

The union negotiating committee puts forward contract proposals that address issues such as wages, hours of work, medical benefits, dental and pension benefits, vacation, the grievance procedure, seniority, and promotions.

The negotiating committee then arranges to meet with the employer’s representatives. These representatives may be company managers, the director of human resources, a company lawyer, or other representatives.

In the vast majority of cases, a mutual agreement on negotiating issues is reached between management and the union. The terms of the agreement are written into a union contract that states conditions of employment for a specified period of time. Before a union contract is accepted, it must be voted on by the membership.

Should negotiations fail to establish a new or first union contract, the membership can vote to strike. Strikes involve workers withholding their labour to put pressure on the employer to negotiate a fair contract. A legal strike can occur only when a union contract is not in force – when negotiations to renew an agreement have stalled or when a first agreement cannot be reached. Strikes rarely ever happen, and they are a last resort for workers who need to focus the employer’s attention on their needs.

UFCW Canada, like other unions, tries to avoid strikes, as the effects to both sides can be serious and long-lasting. In fact, well over 95% of our union contracts are settled without ever resorting to a strike or lockout. To union members, a strike means a hardship for themselves and their families. Union members will not go on strike unless the issues involved are so important that they are deemed to be worth the sacrifice. 

When the workers vote to accept their new union contract, they have a right to enforce the union contract. If the company violates any part of the union contract or the law, the workers may file a grievance. A grievance is an alleged violation of the union contract, the law, or past practice. The process in dealing with a grievance is set out in the contract. At every stage of the process, the union is there, usually in the form of a shop steward or a union representative.

If the union and management cannot resolve the grievance, a third party – called an arbitrator – may be called upon to make a final binding decision on the issue.

All union members gain from a union contract. Therefore, all the workers in the bargaining unit are legally required to pay union dues. By forming a union, workers give themselves a voice. Through organizing, they help shape their working conditions.

Are unions new?

Unions are not new, as they have been active in North America since the Federal Society of Journeymen Cordwainers (shoemakers) formed in Philadelphia in 1794.

Before 1859, all unions in Canada tended to be local or community based. However, from 1859 onward, Canadian unionism became steadily more “international”; that is, more members belonged to unions with headquarters in both Canada and the United States.

The early foundations of UFCW, meanwhile, date back to 1897, when the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America (AMCBW) were founded in Cincinnati, Ohio. The first Canadian local of the AMCBW was later founded in Stratford, Ontario in 1901.

In 1942, Patrick Gorman was elected to the top office of the AMCBW. Known as “Mr. Amalgamated” for more than half a century, he strongly supported a merger with the Retail Clerks International Union (RCIU).

Following Gorman’s election, the National Agricultural Workers Union and the United Packinghouse Workers Union merged with the AMCBW. Then, in 1979, the Amalgamated Meat Cutters merged with the RCIU, forming the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW). William Wynn was elected International President and Samuel J. Talarico was elected International Secretary-Treasurer of the UFCW at the union’s founding convention in Washington, D.C.

Today, the UFCW International Union represents more than 1.3 million hard-working women and men across Canada and the United States, primarily in the food retail, health care, food manufacturing, hospitality, security, industrial, and office and professional sectors.

Why are unions important?

Over the years, unions and the labour movement have led the fight for a strong public health care system, workers’ compensation, occupational health and safety laws, stronger human rights legislation, pay equity, and employment equity. Unions also fight for better job security and good working conditions, and the expansion of public education.

Simply put, an individual worker has little to no power in the workplace without a union contract.

Union members often say that the main value of their union contract is protection against unjust decisions by management, discriminatory discharges, pay cuts, and arbitrary increases to workloads. Union dues finance the basic operations of the union. That includes the hiring of trained union staff who deal with collective bargaining, the organizing of new members, legal issues, communications, and providing education and training for members.

UFCW Canada takes the concerns of its members very seriously. That is why every UFCW Local Union has regular general membership meetings where financial statements are made available to all members. An executive board comprised of a president, secretary-treasurer, recorder, and at least three vice-presidents is responsible for managing the local unions’ funds. The executive board is an elected body, and any member in good standing can run for any position on the board.

Union staff and shop stewards help protect members by policing the union contract. This ensures that the employer obeys the law. However, it is incumbent upon members to inform the union about any problems or concerns they may have. So, if you are a union member, make sure that you take advantage of the benefits that are available to you by keeping your shop steward and union representative informed.

Why join a labour union?

By joining a labour union, you will have the power to make your employer negotiate a collective agreement that ensures you get good pay, better benefits, and respect on the job.

With the union in your corner, and a good collective agreement on your side, you’ll be able to build a better life for you and your family.

Without a union, the employer makes promises but rarely follows through, and they can fire you without a reason. You can work hard, but if you have a conflict with your employer, you are likely to lose your job. In a non-union environment, there are very few raises to be had. The employer determines pay and usually gives raises to their favourite workers. Non-unionized employers can also move your shifts around, cut your wages, speed up production, and neglect working conditions without any consequences. In non-union workplaces, the employer determines paid holidays and vacations, and you may not get either. And finally, in a non-union environment, if you have a health and welfare program or benefits, you usually have to pay for them.

By contrast, with a union on your side, you will enjoy significant advantages over your non-unionized counterparts, including a safer and fairer workplace, better pay and benefits, more work-life balance, and regular wage increases. Union members also tend to have more predictable schedules than non-unionized workers and are more likely to have a pension as well.

When it comes to pay, the union advantage is clear, as unionized workers in Canada earn an average of $5.14 more per hour than non-union workers. For women in unions, the difference is even greater, as women union members earn $6.88 more per hour than women workers who do not belong to a union. The same holds true for young workers, as workers under age 25 earn 26 percent more from jobs covered by a collective agreement compared to young workers who are not unionized.

Can an office worker join a union?

Most officer workers in most industries in Canada can join a union. In fact, the office and professional sectors are two of the main industries that UFCW Canada represents across the country.

Some of the office workers who are members of UFCW include employees at:

Sobeys Quebec Regional Office (Montreal)

Broadbent Institute (Ottawa)

East Metro Youth Services (Toronto)

Association chasse et pêche Martin-Pêcheur (Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec)

Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (University of Toronto)

And many other workplaces throughout Canada.

If you are an office worker who is interested in joining the union, and you believe your colleagues would also like to gain the union advantage, contact UFCW today.

Can a security guard join a union?

Most security guards in most industries in Canada can join a union. In fact, the security sector is one of the main industries that UFCW Canada represents across the country.

Some of the security guards who are members of UFCW include employees at:

ASP Security Services

Galleria Shopping Centre

Commissionaires Ottawa

Commissionaires Hamilton

Condor, Primary Response & VP Protection

And many other workplaces throughout Canada.

If you are a security guard who is interested in joining the union, and you believe your colleagues would also like to gain the union advantage, contact UFCW today.

Can a cashier join a union?

Most cashiers in most industries in Canada can join a union. In fact, the retail sector is one of the main industries that UFCW Canada represents across the country.

Some of the cashiers who are members of UFCW include employees at:

Loblaws & Real Canadian Superstore

Metro Grocery Stores

Safeway & Sobeys Grocery Stores

Save-On-Food Grocery Stores

Lawtons Drugs

And many other workplaces throughout Canada.

If you are a cashier who is interested in joining the union, and you believe your colleagues would also like to gain the union advantage, contact UFCW today.

Why do people join a union?

Unfairness definitely exists in the workplace, especially in non-union workplaces. Many people lack respect and dignity on the job, and their work environment makes them unhappy. But when workers come together to join a union, they are able to overcome that sense of helplessness and powerlessness. Often, it is only when workers join a union that they realize the myths that they once believed about unions are exactly that – myths.

Joining a union ensures that you will have access to overtime pay, reasonable work hours, vacation time and pay, pay equity, and a health and safe workplace.

And for UFCW Canada, looking after the membership is our top priority. Workers choose to join our union because they know it is the most effective way to improve their work environment. If you are interested in joining a union, and you think your colleagues would also like to gain the union advantage, contact UFCW Canada today.

Can you join a union without a job?

Generally speaking, unless you work for a unionized employer, you cannot join a union.

Can you be in two unions? / Can I be in two unions at once?

Yes. In Canada, you can be a member of several unions.

How many employees are needed to form a union?

It depends on your province's labour legislation. Across Canada, unionized workplaces can range from a few employees to hundreds of workers.

Can you leave a union at any time?

Since unions are democratically voted in by a majority of employees in a bargaining unit, the same process applies if you would like to leave a union.

Can an employer refuse to negotiate with a union?

When you and your co-workers are members of a union, your employer is legally obligated to bargain with the union in good faith. This means the employer must come to the bargaining table ready to make improvements, otherwise the union will ask your provincial labour board to intervene.

Can the union give us job security?

Only union members have just cause protection at work. This means you cannot be fired or disciplined without a fair and valid reason from your employer. If you have been wrongly disciplined or terminated, only union members have legally binding grievance procedures to resolve the issue. That is how unions provide job security to members.

Can a union promise me something?

The guarantees of every collective agreement are “Just Cause Protection and a Grievance Procedure.” Also, when you have a union in your corner, all working conditions are negotiable.

What makes a good union?

A good union is a proud advocate for its members, enforces health and safety in the workplace, and ensures that all members are treated with dignity and respect on the job.