Unions first came into act in 1872 when Jon A McDonald passed the Trade Unions Act. This act gave workers the legal right to associate in unions.Whether it is workers’ rights, working conditions, human rights or social justice, laws get changed if people stand together in solidarity. Today, unions legally fight for worker’s rights, for fair wages and for good jobs. The Canadian Union of Public Employees, also known as CUPE is Canada’s largest union, with 700,000 members across the country. CUPE represents many different workers throughout the health care fields, emergency services, education sector, early learning and child care, municipalities, social services, libraries, utilities, transportations, airlines and more. CUPE has been around for more than 50 years.
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Here are some things that unions have fought for and brought into Labour Law for everyone in private and public sectors.
- The 5 day work week. Giving us the weekends to enjoy!
- Ending child labour
- 40 hour work week
- 8 hour work days!
- Unemployment benefits
- Workers Compensation Laws
- Employer-based health coverage
- Family and medical leave act
- The right to know, The right to refuse, and the Right to participate
- Inclusive and equitable work forces