IUOE News February 2015

Why organizing is important to
expand our market share
John Munro,
Organizer
Unionization rate by region, 2012
(Percentage of employees)
CANADA 31.5
Union Organizing
The reason we need to constantly be out organizing new
members into our Union is plain and simple. All Unions are
losing market share in every industry across this province and
country.
Since 1981 unionization has declined from 38% to 31.5% in
Canada. In all the provinces in Canada, B.C. has taken the
largest hit when it comes to union density, dropping from
45% in 1981 to 31.3% in 2012.
We are not last but we should work hard to increase this
number to beat Quebec and become the leader in Union density
in Canada.
When it comes to our Union it is very important to keep
organizing to continue to expand our market share in construction,
mining, waste industry and mechanical shops. This
would help us grow our voice at the bargaining table and in
the labour movement in B.C.
I read in one report that for Unions in North America to
have the same membership as back in the 1950s they would
need to organize 1 million new members every year for the
next 25 years. The report also said that for Unions to maintain
their current membership numbers, they would need to organize
25,000 new members a year.
Those are some staggering numbers for all Unions to
achieve. But with a constant presence and voice out on every
jobsite, I believe we can achieve bringing in large numbers of
new members.
As members of the Union you are the front line organizers.
Talk with people at your jobsite, home or anywhere you are.
Give people information about your Union, how to get
involved with your Union, and who to contact if they are
interested in joining. With your help we can continue to grow
our great Union.
NL
PE
NS
NB
QC
ON
MB
SK
AB
BC
36.9
34.2
30.6
29.8
39.9
28.2
36.0
35.4
23.5
31.3
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
The organizing department is always looking for active
leads for non-union and CLAC companies to organize. Please
pass on information you have. It will help us and the Union.
You have boots on the ground every day in areas we may not
get to and do not know about. Help us reach these workers.
No matter how big or the small the company is, the workers
there have a right to have a voice in their workplace and not
get pushed around by the company. By organizing they can
have the voice they deserve with the company and make a better
living for themselves and their families.
Executive Board Member
Brother Doug Fisher with
Rempel Bros. Concrete Ltd.
working at the Industrial
Development Site at 196th
Avenue and 32nd Avenue in
Langley.
News March 2015 13