Union Membership in Canada: A Complete Guide for Newcomers

What Is a Union?

A union, also called a trade union or labour union, is an organization formed by workers to collectively negotiate with their employer for better wages, benefits, working conditions, and job protections. Instead of each worker individually negotiating their pay and conditions, the union negotiates on behalf of all its members through a process called collective bargaining. The result of collective bargaining is a collective agreement, which is a legally binding contract between the union and the employer that sets out the terms and conditions of employment for all workers covered by the agreement.

For newcomers to Canada, unions can provide an important layer of protection and support in the workplace. If you come from a country where unions are not common or where workers do not have the legal right to organize, you may be unfamiliar with how the system works. In Canada, the right to form and join a union is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and by federal and provincial labour legislation. No employer can legally fire, discipline, or retaliate against you for joining a union or participating in union activities.

How Do Unions Work in Canada?

The Collective Bargaining Process

When a group of workers at a workplace decides they want union representation, they go through a process called certification. This involves signing membership cards and, in some jurisdictions, holding a vote. Once a union is certified as the bargaining agent for a group of workers, the employer is legally required to negotiate with the union in good faith. The union and employer negotiate a collective agreement that covers wages, benefits, hours of work, overtime, vacations, sick leave, health and safety, grievance procedures, and many other terms and conditions of employment.

Collective agreements typically last for two to five years. When an agreement expires, the union and employer negotiate a new one. If negotiations break down, the union may go on strike (refuse to work) or the employer may lock out the workers. Strikes and lockouts are legal in Canada under specific conditions, and the right to strike is constitutionally protected. However, most collective agreements are settled through negotiation without a strike or lockout.

Grievance Procedures

One of the most valuable protections a union provides is the grievance procedure. If you believe your employer has violated the collective agreement, such as by disciplining you without just cause, denying you a promotion you were entitled to, or failing to pay you correctly, you can file a grievance through your union. The union will investigate your complaint and represent you in discussions with the employer. If the grievance cannot be resolved through internal discussions, it can go to arbitration, where an independent arbitrator makes a binding decision. This process ensures that disputes are resolved fairly and that workers have real recourse when their rights are violated.

Union Dues: What You Pay and What You Get

How Dues Are Calculated

Union members pay regular dues to fund the operations of their union. Dues are typically a percentage of your gross earnings, usually between 1% and 3%, though the exact amount varies by union and local. Dues are automatically deducted from your paycheque by your employer and remitted to the union, a system known as the Rand Formula or automatic dues check-off. In many workplaces, even workers who choose not to join the union must pay dues because they benefit from the collective agreement negotiated by the union.

What Do Dues Pay For?

Union dues fund a wide range of services and activities, including collective bargaining (the cost of negotiating your contract), grievance handling and arbitration, legal representation for workplace disputes, training and education programs for members, health and safety advocacy, lobbying for worker-friendly legislation, strike funds (to provide income to workers during a strike), and administrative costs of running the union. Many unions also provide additional member benefits such as scholarships, bursaries, counselling services, and discounts on insurance and other products.

Your Right to Organize

Legal Protections

In British Columbia, the right to organize a union is protected by the BC Labour Relations Code. Under this legislation, it is illegal for an employer to interfere with a union organizing drive, threaten or intimidate workers who support a union, fire or discipline workers for union activity, promise benefits to workers to discourage union support, or spy on union meetings or activities. If your employer violates these protections, you can file a complaint with the BC Labour Relations Board, which has the power to investigate and impose remedies.

For workers in federally regulated industries (such as telecommunications, banking, interprovincial transportation, and federal government services), the right to organize is governed by the Canada Labour Code. The protections are similar: employers cannot interfere with or retaliate against workers for organizing.

How to Organize Your Workplace

If you and your coworkers are interested in forming a union, the process typically begins with contacting an established union that represents workers in your industry. The union will send an organizer to help you understand the process, sign up members, and file for certification. In British Columbia, if a majority of workers in the proposed bargaining unit sign membership cards, the BC Labour Relations Board may certify the union. In some cases, a secret ballot vote may be held. Once certified, the employer must recognize the union and begin bargaining.

Major Unions in Canada

CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees)

CUPE is the largest union in Canada, representing over 700,000 workers in a wide range of public sector and related fields, including healthcare, education, municipalities, libraries, social services, utilities, and child care. If you work in a hospital, school, city government, or social services agency in BC, there is a good chance your workplace is organized by CUPE or one of its locals.

Unifor

Unifor is Canada's largest private sector union, representing over 315,000 workers in industries including automotive, transportation, media, telecommunications, hospitality, retail, food processing, and forestry. Unifor was formed in 2013 through a merger of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union (CEP).

BCGEU (BC General Employees' Union)

The BCGEU is one of the largest unions in British Columbia, representing approximately 85,000 workers in the provincial public service, community social services, liquor distribution, post-secondary education, and many other sectors. If you work for the BC provincial government or for a community organization that provides government-funded services, you may be represented by the BCGEU.

Other Major Unions

Other significant unions in Canada and BC include the United Steelworkers (USW), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), the BC Teachers' Federation (BCTF), the Health Sciences Association of BC (HSA), and the Hospital Employees' Union (HEU). Each union focuses on specific industries or professions, but all share the common goal of representing workers' interests through collective bargaining.

Unions and Apprenticeships

How Unions Support Skills Training

Many unions in Canada operate apprenticeship and skills training programs that can be especially valuable for newcomers looking to build a career in the skilled trades. Unions such as the IBEW, the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA), and the Carpenters' Union run joint apprenticeship and training programs in partnership with employers. These programs combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction and lead to recognized journeyperson certification.

For newcomers with trade skills from their home country, union apprenticeship programs can provide a pathway to having those skills recognized in Canada. The SkilledTradesBC (formerly the Industry Training Authority) oversees apprenticeship and trades certification in British Columbia, and many union training programs are accredited through this system.

Benefits of Union Membership for Newcomers

Union membership offers several specific advantages for newcomers to Canada. First, collective agreements provide clear, written rules about wages, overtime, vacation, and working conditions, which protects workers who may not be familiar with Canadian workplace norms. Second, the grievance procedure provides a formal mechanism for addressing workplace problems, including discrimination or harassment. Third, many unions offer language support, cultural sensitivity training, and resources specifically for immigrant and newcomer members. Fourth, unions provide job security through just cause provisions, which means your employer cannot fire you without a valid reason and a fair process.

For newcomers who are still learning about their employment rights in BC, a union can serve as an advocate and educator. If you are ever unsure about whether something at work is fair or legal, your union steward is the first person to talk to. For information about workers' compensation if you are injured at work, EI sickness benefits if you become ill, CPP contributions and benefits, or other financial help for newcomers, explore our full library of newcomer guides.

Getting Help and Getting Involved

If you are interested in learning more about unions in Canada or want to find out if your workplace is unionized, you can contact the union that represents workers in your industry, ask your coworkers, or check with your employer's human resources department. Settlement agencies across British Columbia can also help newcomers understand their workplace rights, including the right to join and participate in a union.

WelcomeAide is here to support newcomers in understanding their rights and accessing opportunities in Canada. Use our AI Newcomer Navigator to ask questions about unions, employment rights, or any settlement topic in your language. Explore our blog for more newcomer guides, learn about our mission, or see how to get involved in supporting newcomer communities across Canada.