All HR professionals working in union and non-union sectors should be aware of what is going on in the working world around them – Being aware is always an asset!
Take a look at the unionization rates in Canada for the past 16 years. The trend line is constantly dropping and the number of unionized jobs is dropping with it; with the exception of slight increases in 2010 and 2013.
Click here to read Labour Canada’s Statistics on Unionization.
An increase of 1.5 % in 2013 may not be much, but if Unifor, Canada’s largest union has its way, the trend of decreasing unionization rates is going to change and begin increasing.
What is Unifor planning to do? Unifor is committing 10% of its revenues or $10 million dollars to organization drives. In marketing terms, $10 million for growing their business.
Click here to read an article on Unifor’s Organizational Marketing Drive.
$10 million is a big number! Are Canadian employers ready for that kind of union marketing push? Only time will tell if Unifor can reverse the trend and increase union membership by significant levels in Canada. Unifor already has the organization skills, the process, and the knowledge on how to organize workplaces and now that they have committed the economic resources to the vision as well.
As mentioned at the beginning of this blog, HR professionals need to be aware and alert of this possible change.
Discussion Questions
- What type of industries do you think Unifor will try to organize?
- What types of methods do you think they will enlist to engage new members?
- How do you think Canadian employers will respond to this type of union marketing?