2025-2026
local union - Answers When workers at one or more work sites come together to form or join an
existing union. Usually these workers have the same occupation or work for the same employer
shop steward - Answers Union reps in the workplace. Investigate complaints, act as workers
advocates when dealing with management, distribute union literature and welcome new
members
Business Agent - Answers The business agent is responsible for handling day-to-day union
functions and assisting the executive members in their jobs
Union Executive - Answers •Members elect a group of individuals to run the union (the union
executive)
In general, the executive includes a president, one or more vice-presidents, a secretary, and a
treasurer, but other positions may also exists
Several levels of unions structure that parallel the three levels of government - Answers The
Canadian Labour Congress(CLC) is the largest national labour federation
Provincial labour federations act as the coordinating bodies for the labour movement in each
province
•TheQuebec Federation of Labour(FTQ) is affiliated with CLC, but has more independence than
the other CLC-affiliated labour federations
•There are also several smaller, Quebec-based centralized (and independent) labour federations
(Centrale des syndicats du Québec,Confédération des syndicats nationaux, Centrale des
syndicats démocratiques)
Labour councils are the coordinating bodies for joint union activities at the municipal or regional
level (e.g., Conseil régionalFTQ Montréal métropolitain)
Local unions represent workers at the workplace level
•Most local unions belong to a regional, national, or international union (usually referred to as a
parent union), and are affiliated with a labour council and a provincial labour federation
local unions three functions - Answers •Dealing with workplace problems or grievances
•Collective bargaining
•Coordinating political or social activities
•Decisions on how these functions are carried out are made by the _________________, usually
,through votes or _________________________________________ - Answers •Decisions on how these
functions are carried out are made by the membership, usually through votes or discussions at
membership meetings
•Most local unions belong to a ______ - Answers •Most local unions belong to a parent union
parent union - Answers •Parent unions are structured like local unions, with elected executives
and paid staff, and are financed through individual member dues
•The main decision-making mechanism for a parent union is the convention or congress, a
meeting that is usually held annually
•Each local union is entitled to send delegates to the convention
•Decisions and votes are usually taken in general plenary sessions
Parent Unions functions (5) - Answers Helping in the creation of local unions, often by providing
a trained organizer
•Usually, the organizer guides potential union members through the process of gaining legal
recognition for the new local
Supporting a local's ongoing activities, including assisting with workplace issues
•For example, the parent union may help resolve a conflict with the employer by advising what
other locals have done in the same situation
Offering collective bargaining advice
•Parent union representatives may observe bargaining sessions and provide help in formulating
a strategy
•The parent union can tell the local union what other workers in the same occupation have been
able to achieve through bargaining
Conducting educational programs
Representing its members on labour councils, provincial labour federations, or national labour
federations
Labour councils - Answers •is an organization composed of delegates from many different local
unions, usually within a region
•Labour councils are financed through dues from local union affiliates
Labour councils main functions - Answers •Representingworkers' interests to the local
government
, •Bringing together local unions to participate in their community
•Carrying out labour movement policies at the regional level
Labour councils main activities - Answers •Providing strike support for local unions
•Advocating for broader social goals such as affordable child care
•Fundraising for charitable organizations
•Hosting local CLC education programs
Provincial Labour Federation - Answers •made up of unions from an entire province
Local unions without regional, national, or international affiliation may join a provincial
federation directly
Local unions with regional, national, or international affiliation are usually represented in the
provincial federation by the parent union
•Provincial federations have a similar structure to regional, national, and international unions,
and are financed through dues from union members
•The most important function of provincial federations is to deal with labour legislation issues
and lobby the government for changes
•Provincial federations also provide local unions and affiliated labour councils with
communication, education, and research services
The largest centralized labour body in Canada is CLC... - Answers CLC includes many regional,
national, and international unions representing a wide variety of occupations and industries (e.g.,
steelworkers, government workers, auto workers, postal workers, retail and service workers, etc.)
CLC membership also includes provincial and territorial labour federations, and community
labour councils
A number of local unions are affiliated to CLC without representation through a secondary body
CLC member organizations are referred to as affiliates
CLC provides services to affiliates and acts as the "voice of labour"
CLC holds a national convention every three years
•Approximately 2500 delegates attend the convention
•Delegates vote on motions to set future directions for CLC, and elect members of the executive
council