IT’S A MOVEMENT!

Canadian Labour Congress

In 1956, two Canadian labour centrals, the Trades and Labour Congress (TLC) and the Canadian Congress of Labour (CCL), merged to form the Canadian Labour Congress.  The PSAC affiliated with the Canadian Labour Congress in 1967. 

Today, the majority of national and international unions in Canada are affiliated with the Congress, and the CLC includes 12 provincial and territorial federations, and 137 district labour councils. It represents 2.5 million unionized workers.

The CLC promotes decent wages and working conditions, and improved health and safety laws. They lobby for fair taxes and strong social programs, including childcare, Medicare and pensions. They lobby for and develop job training and job creation programs. They work for social equality, and to end racism and discrimination and they work to increase solidarity between workers in Canada and other countries.

In most industrial centres across Canada, the CLC also has District Labour Councils through which Locals from affiliated unions co-operate to support such activities as organizing drives or tough strike situations.  Through these Councils, labour can act in a united program on political action and community affairs.

In Ottawa, the National Officers of the Canadian Labour Congress presses the Federal Government for legislation needed by working people.  The Congress Education Department conducts dozens of union institutes, workshops and seminars across Canada each year.  Departments covering organizing, research, publicity and the other union activities provide service in their respective fields.

When unions in other countries appeal to the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) for assistance, the Congress mobilizes the support of its affiliates, and it represents the Canadian workers at many international conferences and events.

Locals are strongly encouraged to take an active part in the Canadian Labour Congress activities.  The CLC holds an Biennial Convention every two years, and Locals can send delegates to participate in the decision-making process at the national level.  For more information about the Canadian Labour Congress, visit www.clc-ctc.ca

Provincial and Territorial Federations of Labour

At the provincial level, CLC unions act together through a federation, financed and run by representatives of Local unions within the province.  These Federations press the provincial/territorial legislatures for better laws on labour relations, workers’ compensation and social services which are under the authority of the province.  Political action, organizing drives and strike support are sometimes sponsored by federations.  Some have full-time staff to assist in research, education and in processing workers' compensation and unemployment insurance claims.  Some publish handbooks to assist union officers and stewards to advise their members how to obtain the various services available.  These are invaluable resources to our smaller sister unions.

Most constitutions of the Provincial and Territorial Federations of Labour have no provision for an "en bloc" affiliation of all of the members of a national or international union resident in a province or territory.  Locals make an independent decision to affiliate.  Such being the case, PSAC Locals are asked to place a resolution (regularly moved and seconded) before a general meeting of the Local.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Local___________ [of_____________Component] of the Public Service Alliance of Canada affiliate with the__________ Federation of Labour effective___________20____.

The effective date of such affiliation should be the beginning of the month following the month in which the resolution is approved.  If the Local membership approves such affiliation, the Provincial Federation of Labour dues will be paid by the PSAC Centre.  Please note that if the Local membership, for any reason, decides not to affiliate with the Federation of Labour the dues that would have been paid to the Federation will not be rebated to the Local.

Some members may not see a need to affiliate with the Federation.  The Local Executive should ensure that an opportunity for full consideration by the membership is provided.  Many matters of concern to the PSAC membership are matters of provincial/territorial jurisdiction, for example, education, community services, welfare, medical and health programs and hospital service.  Labour organizations should be involved in these areas, as they directly affect our membership (who are also citizens and members of a community!) and it is the Provincial/Territorial Federations of Labour that take the lead in responding to these issues

When an affiliation resolution has been dealt with at a Local General Meeting, please advise the Executive Office of the PSAC of the outcome.  If the decision is to affiliate with the Federation of Labour, the Executive Office will need to have the names and addresses of the Local Officers and the total number of members of the Local, in order to assess the appropriate dues payment.  The contact information will be forwarded to the Federation of Labour.

Once affiliated, the Locals are entitled to participate in the decision making process of the Federations by electing representatives on the executive and on committees and by sending delegates to the conventions.  Locals are also entitled to take advantage of all the services provided by the Federations.

District Labour Councils

District Labour Councils, which are also part of the CLC structure, are the voice of labour in the community.  District Labour Councils operate at the municipal and/or district level.  They also seek to promote and advance the economic and social welfare of workers and secure legislation that benefits all workers, but at the community level.

The procedure to affiliate with the District Labour Council is similar to the one for affiliation to Federations, but there is one important difference.  Locals have to pay affiliation dues out of their own funds.  Each District Labour Council has its own constitution and sets out its own dues.

Once affiliated, Locals are entitled to send representatives with full rights to participate in the District Labour Council's affairs.