February 24, 2024
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Re: Prohibiting Unions Dues Being Transferred to the United States
Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,
Canada remains the only country in the world where a number of its labour unions pay dues to unions based in another country – in our case, the United States.
This practice doesn’t only lead to poorer accountability, lack of national sovereignty, autonomy and local empowerment, it causes the loss of tens of millions of Canadian dollars each year to union offices in the United States, many of them working actively against progressive values and the rights of Canadian workers.
The Confederation of Canadian Unions (CCU) is the largest affiliation of independent, democratic unions in the country. It was founded in 1969 by Madeleine Parent and Kent Rowley, free from the influence of American-based, “international” unions.
Yet far too many “international” unions in Canada, representing hundreds of thousands of workers, have head offices situated in the United States. The flow of dues to these unions across borders has caused enormous problems. It has raised concerns among Canadians about the transparency, accountability, and ultimate benefit of their contributions.
This is why the CCU is publicly calling for the federal government to introduce legislation banning the transfer of union dues paid by Canadian workers to other countries.
When dues remain within our borders, they can be more effectively utilized to address the specific needs and concerns of Canadian workers. This localized approach allows unions to tailor their initiatives, campaigns, and resources to the unique challenges faced by Canadians, thereby fostering a stronger sense of community and solidarity among workers.
Transparency regarding the allocation of dues becomes more feasible when funds are not distributed across international borders. Members have a right to know how their dues are being spent, and ensuring these funds remain within the country facilitates clearer reporting mechanisms and oversight processes. This heightened accountability cultivates trust between union leadership and members, bolstering the integrity of the entire labor organization.
Canadian workers grapple with distinct socio-economic and political realities that may differ significantly from those in the United States. By preventing the diversion of union dues, Canadian labour organizations can concentrate their efforts on advocating for policies and initiatives that directly benefit Canadians.
Causing great harm, many American unions support right-wing, “nationalist” politicians and policies that damage our economy and destroy Canadian jobs, including tariffs and other trade barriers that protect American economic interests over our own, the redirection of investment from Canadian businesses to those in the United States, and other so-called “America First” policies.
And when US unions say “America First,” we all know it really means putting Canadian workers and families last. Why should Canadians pay for policies that act against our own best interests?
Yet related to this are the loss of opportunities for Canadian workers in employment, training, and advancement within their own unions. By keeping dues within Canada, unions can invest in programs and initiatives aimed at promoting job creation, skills development, and economic growth domestically, thereby contributing to the preservation and expansion of Canadian employment opportunities.
Canadian union dues wasted on expensive, fancy head offices and “training centers” in Texas or Washington, DC can be far better utilized here within our borders, training Canadian workers and preparing them for the high-tech economy of the early 21st century.
As well, many American unions continue to spend tens of millions of dollars raiding Canadian unions, hoping to take over and dominate Canadian workers, their resources and priorities. Thankfully, a large majority of these raids fail. Canadians understand the value of belonging to independent, democratic unions controlled within our borders.
That’s why the CCU is asking the federal government to take immediate action and pass legislation protecting Canadian workers and their families. It’s finally time to ban the transfer of Canadian union dues to other countries.
Sincerely,
Gregory Ball
President, Confederation of Canadian Unions
(613) 518-8116
ccu-csc.ca
president@ccu-csc.ca
CC: Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Finance
Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Labour
