Right To Work is an attack on Human Rights and Workers Rights
Preamble
WHEREAS there has been a tradition and legal requirement in Canada that imposes mandatory union dues collection as a means of funding unions, called the Rand Principle; and
WHEREAS "Right to Work" legislation would outlaw the Rand principle and make union dues voluntary; and
WHEREAS Legislation that undermines a union’s ability to finance its activities would violate 2007 SCC 27; and
WHEREAS It would be very difficult if not impossible to carry out meaningful collective bargaining if not properly funded; and
WHEREAS That so called "Right to Work" legislation would violate 2007 SCC 27 by denying the mandatory dues checkoff necessary to fund a union's associational activity.
Operative
BE IT RESOLVED That the Green Party of Canada fully support the Rand Formula.
Background
There is a growing movement in Canada towards disabling unions and violating their right to represent their members in a collective fashion. The Conservative Party of Canada passed a resolution at its Alberta annual convention that supported Right to Work and dismantle the Rand formula. The Rand formula is used across Canada to ensure that unions are funded enough to carry on their associational activities. It is a mandatory dues deduction from all workers who are covered by the collective agreement.
Doing away with the Rand formula, and allowing for voluntary dues payments would effectively mean that unions would have to represent all employees regardless of their paying status or membership. Those who dislike unions are then free to use this process to file grievances, (and not pay dues,)which the union does not support, and fund such grievances even though it may work against the interests of all other workers in the bargaining unit. This puts considerable strain on union finances and makes it impossible to function thereby rendering the union as useless.
In a very real manner,a union is a small g "government" representing the interests of the workers in the workplace. The union dues are its form of taxes and it can not function without funding. Try to imagine a government where taxes are collected voluntarily but services are free to all.
The Supreme Court of Canada, in its ruling 2007 SCC 27, protects the right to collective bargaining and rules against interference that undermines or undercuts the union’s ability to act.
Code
Proposal Type
Submitter Name
Party Commentary
This motion is consistent with Green Party labour policy.
Preamble
WHEREAS there has been a tradition and legal requirement in Canada that imposes mandatory union dues collection as a means of funding unions, called the Rand Principle; and
WHEREAS "Right to Work" legislation would outlaw the Rand principle and make union dues voluntary; and
WHEREAS Legislation that undermines a union’s ability to finance its activities would violate 2007 SCC 27; and
WHEREAS It would be very difficult if not impossible to carry out meaningful collective bargaining if not properly funded; and
WHEREAS That so called "Right to Work" legislation would violate 2007 SCC 27 by denying the mandatory dues checkoff necessary to fund a union's associational activity.
Operative
BE IT RESOLVED That the Green Party of Canada fully support the Rand Formula.
Sponsors
Background
There is a growing movement in Canada towards disabling unions and violating their right to represent their members in a collective fashion. The Conservative Party of Canada passed a resolution at its Alberta annual convention that supported Right to Work and dismantle the Rand formula. The Rand formula is used across Canada to ensure that unions are funded enough to carry on their associational activities. It is a mandatory dues deduction from all workers who are covered by the collective agreement.
Doing away with the Rand formula, and allowing for voluntary dues payments would effectively mean that unions would have to represent all employees regardless of their paying status or membership. Those who dislike unions are then free to use this process to file grievances, (and not pay dues,)which the union does not support, and fund such grievances even though it may work against the interests of all other workers in the bargaining unit. This puts considerable strain on union finances and makes it impossible to function thereby rendering the union as useless.
In a very real manner,a union is a small g "government" representing the interests of the workers in the workplace. The union dues are its form of taxes and it can not function without funding. Try to imagine a government where taxes are collected voluntarily but services are free to all.
The Supreme Court of Canada, in its ruling 2007 SCC 27, protects the right to collective bargaining and rules against interference that undermines or undercuts the union’s ability to act.
Party Commentary
This motion is consistent with Green Party labour policy.