On Labour Day we celebrate the many contributions of working people who helped to build our country and its economy.
Despite negative comments about unions from some business groups, we do make a positive difference in the health of our communities and the lives of business owners.
We call this the union advantage.
The Canadian Labour Congress released a research study in August showing that, on average, unionized workers in Canada earn $5.11 an hour more than non-union workers. That extra money in the pockets of individual workers means the union advantage is worth a cumulative $793 million per week that is added to our economy, and it represents a gain for local communities and small businesses as well.
Our research study highlights 29 separate communities across the country to show the benefits that unionized workers provide. We have found that centres with more union members enjoy relatively higher incomes overall and support a richer mix of businesses and services - dentists, chiropractors, therapists, health specialists, family lawyers. These services benefit everyone.
In short, these communities are better places to work and live.
Belonging to a union is especially important for female workers. We have found that 53 per cent of non-union women earn less than $13.33 an hour, compared to just 6.4 per cent of women who belong to unions. So the next time someone says union workers make too much money, ask them if they would prefer their mothers, daughters, sisters and aunts to make less than $13.33 an hour for their labour.
Unionized workers are more likely than non-union workers to have access to workplace pension plans, drug and dental plans. This means that millions of children have proper dental and vision care. Their parents can afford to enrol them in camps and sports programs and later send them off to college and university.
But the union advantage doesn't belong just to union members. All workers share in what union members have fought hard to achieve - better wages, good benefits and safer workplaces.
When unions stand up for fairness, they raise the bar for everyone.
Ken Georgetti is president of the 3.3 millionmember Canadian Labour Congress.
