Introduction
There are serious concerns regarding the trade union movement all over the world. It is now commonly thought that trade unions are declining in strength and influence due to the effects of globalization. This has resulted in unions devising ways and means to rebuild and restructure so that they can remain effective institutions in serving workers. Labor unions have now adopted three main strategies to deal with the pressures of globalization. These include organizational restructuring, which involves evaluating the present situation, identifying challenges and then adapting, modifying approaches, strategies and organizational structures, Organizing the unorganized workers (those not belonging to a workers union).This approach is geared towards increasing the number of unionized workers and domestic (grassroots) campaigns whose target is mainly to redefine relations between workers, employers, the state and the labor unions(Kumar&Schenk,2006, p.30). Organizational restructuring, organizing the unorganized and grass-roots political action are strategies from the union which has direct control and therefore ability to change and act in new ways to restructure the labor movement.
Renewal strategies used by labor unions
Organizing the less organized is one of the frequently used approaches in the renewal of labor unions. This approach mainly targets to reverse the trend in which there has been a decline in the number of employees who join labor unions. A major strength in using this approach is that unorganized employees previously seen as uninterested in unions and those in the private sector are receiving attention. Through this approach, unions have begun to exert their influence private sector than earlier before. In Canada a significant number of women, youths and minorities are employed in the private sector especially the service sector jobs such as hotel employees serving food and cleaning, those in-home care agencies, and those attending to children in other similar settings. By organizing these groups of employees, unions in Canada were able to increase the number of Unionized employees between the year 1997-2000.This strategy has been used by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) (Yates, 2002, p.31-32).
Britton (1996, p.422) continues to note that other unions like CAW (Canadian Auto Workers) and USWA (united steel Workers in Canada) are very active in organizing in the private sector with the latter having successfully organized private guards and those working in elderly homes. A major weakness of this approach is that it takes time because employees are differentiated by economic sectors or industries. Additional resources need to be set aside to successfully organize the unorganized workers. This is because organizers from diverse backgrounds have to be hired and deployed. Another disadvantage of this approach is linked with the ability of unions to keep up with the changing social demographic characteristics of workers like increased mobility and participation of young parents in labor.
Organizational restructuring by labor unions as a renewal strategy is based on evaluation of the current situation, and then adapting, modifying approaches, strategies and organizational structures to meet the challenges identified. Organizational restructuring has enabled unions to integrate modern communication strategies like the internet and satellite communication to enhance efficiency (Marchand &Runyan, 2000, p.122). An example of a Canadian union that has become successful because of restructuring is the Unite Here Local 75 which became successful through merging separate local unions, adopting a progressive leadership style, grassroots organizing along with different occupations and races. The union was reorganized in the year 1973 (Unite Here Canada, 2004, para 1-6). This approach allows unions to reinvent themselves as need arises. However, this also comes with investing in new resources.Unions with rigid leadership structures may find using this approach a little difficult because it demands a high level of flexibility in making decisions and implementing them.
Domestic (grassroots) campaigns are strategies used to address local labor issues like pay, housing and working conditions and are used as a complement to international strategies. Grassroots campaigns are usually carried out by small unions which represent employees from different sectors of the economy. Grass root campaigns take relatively shorter time to plan and implement and often are not costly compared to international campaigns. A great disadvantage of grassroots campaigns is that poor organization and limited geographical area in which they are implemented may not have a strong influence on powerful businesses and government (Worley, 2005, p. 114). Unite Here Local 75 is an excellent illustration of a union that has effectively used grassroots campaigns to renew itself over the years in Canada.
Conclusion
Labor unions have adopted three major renewal strategies to deal with the pressures of globalization, organizational restructuring, organizing the less organized and grassroots campaigns. Each of these strategies has its unique advantages and limitations as well. Despite the numerous challenges faced by labor unions, their contribution to improving the working conditions and welfare for employees in a globalizing economy is indispensable. Important challenges facing unions in Canada due to globalization include resources constraints, organizing challenges, and declining numbers of people joining unions (Berry, 2001, p.58). There should be more effort to ensure better organization of grassroots campaigns in order to complement international efforts. Similarly local unions should reach out to more non-organized workers in their areas. Lastly unions must consider using an integrated approach comprising of the three renewal strategies because each one offers unique advantages (compared to their disadvantages) that are beneficial to the activities of the labor unions. This will greatly make them relevant and effective institutions.
Reference
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Britton, J.N.H. (1996).Canada and the global economy: the geography of structural and technological change. Quebec: McGill-Queen’s Press – MQUP.
Kumar, P & Schenk, C.R. (2006).Paths to union renewal: Canadian experiences. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Marchand, M.H&Runyan, A.S. (2000). Gender and global restructuring: sightings, sites and resistances. London: Routledge.
Unite here Canada. About UNITE HERE Canada. 2010. Web.
Worley, M. (2005). Labour’s grass roots: essays on the activities and experiences of local labour parties and members, 1918-45. Aldershot: ash gate publishing ltd.
Yates, C.A.B. (2002). Expanding labor’s horizons: union organizing And strategic change in Canada. Just Labour vol. 1, p. 31-40. Web.