Confederation of Canadian Unions
Encyclopedia
The Confederation of Canadian Unions, or CCU (in French
"le Confederation des syndicats canadiens" or CSC) is a national trade union center
, a central labour body in Canada
.
free of the influence of American-based international unions. It has been a leader in the struggle for workers' rights and social justice
for all Canadians and was the first labour federation in Canada to call for equal pay for work of equal value. The CCU supports, participates and works co-operatively with a variety of social activist groups, including the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
, the Maquila Solidarity Network
, Council of Canadians, the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group (ICLMG), various health coalitions, Make Poverty History
, and Gathering Place. It writes submissions and lobbies all levels of government on issues such as health care, education, pay equity, social services, forestry, fair trade, and labour standards for workers.
The CCU and its affiliates are active in the struggle for a new world based on the ideals equality, democracy, environmental sustainability and solidarity.
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
"le Confederation des syndicats canadiens" or CSC) is a national trade union center
National trade union center
A national trade union center is a federation or confederation of trade unions in a single country. Nearly every country in the world has a national trade union center, and many have more than one. When there is more than one national center, it is often because of ideological differences—in some...
, a central labour body in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Formation
The CCU was founded in 1969 by labour organizers Madeleine Parent and Kent Rowley to establish a democratic, independent Canadian labour movementLabour movement
The term labour movement or labor movement is a broad term for the development of a collective organization of working people, to campaign in their own interest for better treatment from their employers and governments, in particular through the implementation of specific laws governing labour...
free of the influence of American-based international unions. It has been a leader in the struggle for workers' rights and social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
for all Canadians and was the first labour federation in Canada to call for equal pay for work of equal value. The CCU supports, participates and works co-operatively with a variety of social activist groups, including the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is an independent, non-partisan, policy research institute in Canada that leans to the political left. It concentrates on economic policy, international trade, environmental justice and social policy. It is especially known for publishing an alternative...
, the Maquila Solidarity Network
Maquila Solidarity Network
The Maquila Solidarity Network is a Canadian labour and women's rights organization with offices in Toronto and Mexico City. MSN supports the efforts of workers in global supply chains to win improved wages and decent working conditions, and a better quality of life for themselves and their...
, Council of Canadians, the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group (ICLMG), various health coalitions, Make Poverty History
Make Poverty History
Make Poverty History is the name of a campaign that exists in a number of countries, including Australia, Canada, Denmark , Finland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Romania, the United Arab Emirates, Great Britain and Ireland...
, and Gathering Place. It writes submissions and lobbies all levels of government on issues such as health care, education, pay equity, social services, forestry, fair trade, and labour standards for workers.
The CCU and its affiliates are active in the struggle for a new world based on the ideals equality, democracy, environmental sustainability and solidarity.
Objectives
- Establish a just standard of income, working hours and conditions for all who work for a living;
- Protect its members from illegal and unjust treatment;
- Obtain improved legislation and just application of legislation in the interests of all workers;
- Promote the study, defense, and just application of legislation in the interests of all workers;
- Promote and develop awareness of the dangers of environmental pollution and to educate members about the need to control and prevent harm to our environmentNatural environmentThe natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....
; - Promote the merger or affiliation of affiliated unions with related interest and principles;
- Aid workers in their efforts to form independent, Canadian unions, and if necessary or requested, to regulate relations between employees and employers, including but not limited to the right to bargain collectively on their behalf and to act as a bargaining agent, after full review and concurrence of the Executive Board;
- Aid in organizing the unorganized.
Affiliated unions
- Nova Scotia Union of Public and Private Employees
- Canadian Overseas Telecommunications Union
- York University Staff Association
- Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers of Canada