In June, we learned about the murder of Anastacio Tzib Caal, the recently elected secretary general of the Guatemalan trade union at the Texpia II garment factory. This murder, and many like it of trade unionists around the world, is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by the labour movement globally.
While trade unionists face many challenges in advanced economies, we must remember that in many developing countries, it is often illegal to unionize. Trade unionists in some regions often operate at great personal risk, not only to themselves but also to their friends and families.
It comes as no surprise that Canadian trade unionists encounter challenges when engaging with new Canadians. Too many newcomers associate trade unions with illegal activities. Even when they recognize the positive impact of unions, they fear repercussions for being involved. This is unfortunate because our movement has much to learn from their experiences and perspectives.
For that reason, I am committed to ensuring that our union improves its efforts to help raise the awareness of newcomers about what we offer and to engage them. I also strongly encourage our sister unions to do the same.
We Need to Do Better Overall
This leads me to a broader concern. All too often, newcomers are seen as cheap labour, as people who can be hired at a lower cost. When it comes to temporary foreign workers, the situation is even worse. They are often treated as disposable workers, individuals who can be overworked for little pay because they have a set end-date to their employment and are at the mercy of employers who can easily have them deported.
We are proud to have migrant workers in our membership, and we are working hard to ensure they are treated well and earn wages that reflect the value they bring to our society, regardless of their citizenship status.
However, not all migrant workers are fortunate enough to be protected by a trade union. In fact, the majority are not, and they face many of the aforementioned hardships. This brings me to my main point.
Canada needs a better structure for welcoming newcomers. More than just a program, we need a vision with a plan. We must ensure that newcomers are fully integrated into our society, which can only be achieved by integrating them into our economy.
Unions can play a pivotal role in this process. By advocating for fair wages and better working conditions, we provide immigrants with the economic stability they need to thrive and contribute the building Canada the way we all do. Through education programs, we can help newcomers learn about their rights and protections in the workplace, ensuring they know the value of union membership and how it benefits them too. We can also offer mentorship opportunities that help immigrants adapt to the workforce more quickly and help change the workplace culture to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone’s contributions are valued.
That is why I was pleased to read recently that the government is considering reducing the number of temporary foreign workers entering the country each year, to focus instead on better integrating migrant workers on a path to permanent residency.
It is no secret that Canada needs immigrants. We must renew our aging population in many industries, and we all benefit from welcoming more diverse people. By ensuring newcomers are well integrated into our economy, all of Canada stands to win.
Trade unions like the Teamsters have a significant role to play in this process. By ensuring newcomers know more about Canadian unions, involving them in our democratic practices, and advocating for their rights, we can strengthen not only our movement but also our country as a whole. Ensuring that every Canadian, new and established is fully integrated into the economy is a shared value and responsibility that will lead to a more prosperous nation.
François Laporte
President of Teamsters Canada
Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Each month, François Laporte, President of Teamsters Canada, comments on the labour news cycle in a series of columns called Leading the Way. Join him as he discusses the issues facing Canadian workers from coast to coast.
