An article written by CCU President John Hanrahan was featured in the recent edition of Macleans Magazine. Titled “Canada Needs Unions Now More Than Ever,” it’s expected to reach tens of thousands of Canadians.
John wrote about the CCU and its commitment to workers’ rights, the agenda of the new Liberal government, and some of the challenges facing workers throughout the country. Check it out the January 4, 2016 edition of Maclean’s Magazine, or you can read the article below.
Read full text:
Canada Needs Unions Now More Than Ever
By CCU President John Hanrahan
The Confederation of Canadian Unions (CCU) is the largest federation of independent unions in the country. The CCU has spent much of the last decade fighting the anti-union agenda of the Conservatives, and we welcome the recent change in government.
For too long, governments have pursued cuts to social programs, attacks on the rights of workers, and privatization of government services. Yet this flawed ideology has only produced deficits and increased income inequality.
The reversing of cuts to EI, Canada Post, and retirement income, as well as increased taxes on the very wealthy, have been proposed by the Trudeau Liberals as a way to rebuild the middle class and promote income equality, and this should be done.
Similarly, the reversal of legislation such as bills C-377 and C-525, both meant to weaken and reduce union membership, will also help.
Yet these policies alone will not reverse the trend towards inequality. The Liberals are also supportive of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), an agreement which they even admit was negotiated in secret and has not been subject to public debate or consultation.
Half measures taken to reduce inequality will have no effect if we carelessly sign on to a trade agreement that threatens our social programs and promotes a further division between the very wealthy and everyone else. We cannot trade equality for the unproven promise of increased economic growth.
The CCU will continue its struggle to promote workers’ rights, economic justice and environmental sustainability for all workers in Canada and around the world.
