Module 12 The Future of Labour Relations
Start Up
The overall rate of unionization (the proportion of employed people who are members of a union) is declining globally – but at a much slower rate in Canada than in other countries.
According to Statistics Canada (2018), from 1981 to 2014, Canada’s overall unionization rate declined from 37.6% to 28.8%. Within this overall decline, there are:
Gender Differences
Men’s unionization rate fell 42% in 1981 to 27% in 2014.
Women’s unionization rate hovered around 30% during the same period.
Age Differences
The decline in unionization has been greatest for young workers, although there are gender differences that intersect with age.
Women ages 45-54 and 55-64 were the only groups to increase in unionization rates during this period.
Sector Differences
From 1999 to 2014, public sector unionization rates grew from 70.4% to 71.3%.
Private sector rates fell from 18.1% to 15.2% over the same years.
Industry Differences
Unionization declined in some goods-producing industries, such as manufacturing, and increased in others, such as retail trade and professional services.
In this module, we will explore these trends in more detail and consider the challenges facing unions now and into the future, as the world of work continues to evolve and globalize. We will begin by reviewing the long-term trends in unionization in Canada and across the world, the shifting composition of unions in Canada, and labour force characteristics. We will then explore the differences in unionization between the private and public sectors and consider the unique challenges facing each of those sectors. We will conclude by discussing the challenges facing the labour movement and its relevance in representing workers in the future.
Content
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module, you should be able to:
discuss trends in the labor force composition,
discuss trends in unionization globally and within Canada,
identify the differences in public and private sector unionism,
discuss the different challenges facing the public and private sectors, and
discuss the challenges facing the future of the labour movement and issues key to its continued relevance in the evolving nature of the contemporary workforce.
Labour Force and Unionism Trends
Along with the overall decline in unionization, there are trends in the changing composition and structure of unions as well.
The consolidation of unions is a notable trend, resulting in the overall decline in the number of unions in Canada “…from over 1,000 in 1990 to 770 in 2014…” (The Conference Board of Canada, 2017, p. 14). Similarly, there is a trend toward groups of smaller bargaining units consolidating into a larger bargaining unit. On both fronts, such consolidation offers certain advantages to unionized employees, such as strength in bargaining power and resources, as well as certain disadvantages, such as the risk of unions losing touch with the interests and concerns of employees at the local grassroots levels of smaller workplaces (The Conference Board of Canada, 2017).
As you review the materials below, reflect on the changes in the nature of work since the 1980’s and consider how the labour movement has been affected by these changes. Give thought to why Canada’s rate of unionization remains relatively strong compared to many other countries in the world, especially as compared to the United States. Think about the benefits and the challenges this relatively strong rate of unionization presents for the Canadian labour force.
Long-Term Trends in Unionization(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (5 pages)
Industrial Relations Outlook 2018: The Changing Face of Labour(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (6 pages)
Read the section: Changes in the Union Landscape (pp. 14-19)
From: The Conference Board of Canada
Labour Force Survey, August 2017(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (browse)
The State of the Unions(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (browse)
Unionization Rates Falling(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (browse)
Labour Organizations in Canada 2015(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (browse)
Supplementary Resources
The following resources are optional and are not required to complete the evaluations.
Young Workers and the Union Movement in Canada(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (2 pages)
Why are Unions So Much Stronger in Canada?(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (7:00 min)
Union Status by Industry(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (browse)
Union Status by Occupation(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (browse)
Unionization Rate, Canada and Provinces, 2016(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (1 page)
Some Thoughts on Canadian Unionization Rates(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (1 page)
Long-Term Downward Trend in Unionization Rates(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (browse)
Portrait of Canada’s Labour Force(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (browse)
Public vs. Private Sector Issues
The rate of unionization in Canada is much higher in the public sector than in the private sector. As you review the materials in this section, consider the factors that contribute to the differences in unionization rates between these sectors. What labour relations challenges are unique to each sector?
Is High Public Sector Unionization a Problem for the Labour Movement?(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (4 pages)
The Future of Unions in Canada’s Private Sector(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (12:37 min)
Public Sector Unionization Grows(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (4 pages)
Supplementary Resources
The following resources are optional and are not required to complete the evaluations.
Union Membership Trends and Challenges(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (3 pages)
An Analysis of Public and Private Sector Employment Trends in Canada, 1990-2013(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (25 pages)
The Future of Unions
Reflecting on the trends and data discussed above, it is clear that there has been significant change in the workforce and in unionization since the 1980’s. As you review the materials below, think about what these changes indicate for the future of work, workers, and the labour movement. Reflect on the journey of the labour movement from its origins and its fundamental interests, which we discussed in Module 1. Consider how the labour movement has evolved since that time and think about the relevance and interests of the labour movement into the future, based on the emerging trends.
The Future of Labour(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (1 page)
A Futurist’s Look at IR/HR: Why it’s Time to Start Over(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (8 pages)
Read the following sections:
The Status Quo in HR and Labour Relations (pp. 8-9)
Changing the Collective Bargaining Process (pp. 9-13)
Tough Negotiations and Unusual Tactics (pp. 14-15)
Supplementary Resources
The following resources are optional and are not required to complete the evaluations.
The Future of Unions in Canada(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (7:46 min)
Have Unions and Collective Bargaining Outlived Their Usefulness?(hyperlink opens in a new tab) (3:26 min)
Learning Activity
There is one learning activity for this module.
Discussion
Practice what you have learned in this module by participating in a discussion with your classmates. This graded activity is essential to support your learning.
The purpose of this discussion is to reflect on your learning and to further your thinking on the relevance of labour unions and the challenges facing labour relations into the future.
To complete this learning activity, access the discussion:
Discussion 5: The Future of Labour Relations
To learn how to access and use the discussion forums, read Discussions under the Evaluations module.