Workers Rights At Stake
It is in everyone’s interests to raise retail standards and revolutionize retail.
That was one of the key messages delivered by Professor Kendra Coulter at Local 1000A’s Divisional Advisory Conference, held from November 27 to 29 in Richmond Hill. More than 52 divisional officers from across Ontario attended the two-day conference which featured several speakers and workshops on the local union’s divisional structure and guidelines.
“Retail is the new normal — it’s the new form of mass employment,” Coulter said. “What happens in retail affects the rest of the economy.”
Nearly 3 million workers work in Canada’s retail sector making it the country’s largest employer, Coulter noted. But she said the sector in Canada and the U.S. is one that is plagued by low wages (often minimum wage), and few (if any) benefits.
Part of these challenges can be understood when examining the dynamic between General Motors and Wal-Mart in the United States. Fifty years ago, Coulter noted the biggest employer was General Motors but workers made $50 per hour on average in wages and benefits in present-day terms. However, today the largest employer is Wal-Mart and retail workers are making $8.81 per hour on average.
“You can call it a race to the bottom and it is certainly not helping workers,” she said. Compounding the situation is the fact that it is a volatile sector and it’s is hard for workers to have a sense of security.
Local 1000A President Pearl Sawyer said the recent recession had a huge impact on workers and their families. “The fallout from the recession has cost jobs and is changing the very fabric of employment in Ontario and in the rest of Canada,” she said. “The manufacturing sector, which has been the economic backbone of Ontario, is disappearing. With it go the decent paying union jobs that helped create the middle class in this province.”
Sawyer said new jobs don’t provide the same level of financial security and reflect new employment realities. Many Canadians over 60, she said, are being forced to keep working out of necessity because the economic downturn hit their retirement pensions and investments hard. Many of them have entered retail, Sawyer said, and some are among the newest members of Local 1000A. For young workers, she said the downturn has meant reduced opportunity as Canadians over 60 remain in the workforce.
Compounding these new economic realities are the vast challenges in the retail sector. As the number of non-union workplaces in Canada’s retail sector grows, workers at unionized locations are facing more downward pressure on their wages, benefits and working conditions.
“Business is becoming more ruthless,” Sawyer said. “They are facing more intense competition — look at the grocery sector and the impact of Walmart and other discount retailers.”
That’s why Sawyer said it is critical for all members to shop at stores where Local 1000A members work. “Shop at your union stores as much as you can and encourage your friends and family to do the same,” she said. “Every penny you put into unionized grocery stores helps your fellow members and their families.”
Nothing will change, Coulter said, until retail workers believe they deserve better. Venting online is a common outlet but alone, she said it will not be enough.
Already, UFCW is engaged in several campaigns to help retail workers win rights in their workplace. While many challenges remain, UFCW has been successful in helping workers at workplaces like H&M win rights.
“Unity plus collective action equals change,” she said. “The possibilities and hope are real and the creative strategies are getting results. We are seeing an unprecedented level of discussion about retail workers and the realities in the sector and it’s the beginning of a much broader conversation.”
Federal Attack on Workers
The event also featured Federal NDP Labour Critic Alexandre Boulerice, who represents the riding of Rosemont — La Petite-Patrie.
“They are attacking workers’ rights on many fronts,” Boulerice said about the Conservative government. This includes:
• Allowing employers to pay Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) 15 per cent less than Canadians. The program is being used to exploit people and import cheap labour. However, the TFW permits are also being given in industries that are considered sources of good-paying jobs for Canadians (i.e. mining and airline pilots). Boulerice has noted in the past that with so many unemployed Canadians, it’s hard to believe none are qualified for the job.
• Attacking unions through Bill C-377, which requires unions to reveal their assets, liabilities and expenses to the public. “This bill is so flawed that it can’t be fixed,” Boulerice said, raising concerns about the tremendous cost of the legislation to Canadians and the impact on the privacy of members. Sawyer has said in the past this legislation will weaken the bargaining power that workers have as employers will know how much resources unions have to fight back. Help stop this bill.
• Cutting and weakening Employment Insurance. The NDP states the changes will punish part-time and seasonal workers and have a negative impact on many Canadians.
These are only some of the many attacks workers are facing. Sawyer, along with Local 455 Recorder Sue Mann, also informed divisional officers about the dangers of right-to-work coming to Ontario.
“Employers are pressuring government for changes to labour legislation that would strip away workers’ rights and undermine the labour movement, all in the name of being more competitive,” Sawyer said. “Being more competitive is code for ‘you lose’ as a working Ontarian.”
Together We Are Stronger
Sawyer said the participation of members and activists will be key in raising the standards for retail workers across Ontario and Canada. “We will continue to engage with our 29,000 members and will be embracing new tactics and technologies. We will continue to improve our communication methods and strategies so that when we begin bargaining, our membership will be informed and united.”
The Passport to Action program, designed to encourage members to become more active in our union, community and in the broader labour movement, is one of those new strategies.
Facebook (www.facebook.com/ufcw1000a) and twitter (www.twitter.com/ufcw1000a) will also be key tools for the members to become informed and engaged with their union.
Helping new workers win rights in their workplace will also be a bigger priority than ever.
“I believe, from the bottom of my heart, if we stand together, if we are strong together, we can overcome whatever obstacles that are thrown our way,” she said. “There is much for us to do and I know we are up for the challenge. We will continue to move forward stronger than ever as we continue to build our local.”
Members Speak:
“Every meeting we have brings us more knowledge to take back to the membership,” said Jason Ohri, the Secretary-Treasurer of the Toronto Loblaws Great Food & RCSS Division. “When I go back, I am going to talk to our members about what unions do and why we need them. The conference gave us more tools to do so.” Moving forward, Ohri said member participation is critical. He touched on the message that complaining alone does not create change. “If members want something, it can happen,” he said. “As a member, you have the power to make it happen. Go to meetings, bring people with you and make your voice heard.”
Natasha Grey, an officer representing part-time workers in the Toronto Retail Franchise Division, said she was impressed with the speakers at the event. “The conference was very intriguing. What I will take from this conference — is the knowledge of speakers and the dedication of those in our union.”
Maria Shouman, an officer representing part-time workers in the Ottawa Loblaws Great Food & RCSS Division, said the event was very useful. “I learned a lot at this conference about the state of retail and what is happening with right-to-work in Canada and the U.S.,” she said.
The speakers were excellent, said Trenton Loblaws Great Food & RCSS Division President Ray Hill. “I learned more about right to work and the presentation answered any questions I had.”
