Canadian Unions and Globalization

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the need for unions to operate on a global scale if they are to protect workers against global forces. The paper shows how Canadian unions are attempting to work at a domestic and international level. The paper argues, however, that Canadian unions still have a long way to go before they can successfully compete on a global scale.

From the Paper:

"Unfortunately, in the main the power of Canadian trade unions is being eroded by the forces of globalization. Therefore, Cohen (2000) has pointed out that there is a need for "new international institutions designed to challenge the power of corporations and facilitate transparent and democratic intervention in relation to international trade and investment" (MacBride and Wiseman, 2000, p. 6). Moreover, in the main attempts by the labour unions to fight back against globalized forces of capitalism have been ineffective of misguided. For example, Swenarchuk (2000) points out that the proposal sponsored by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) "to include labour 'side-agreements' in international trade and investment treaties" is an inadequate response to the complex problems of a diminishing labour rights in the globalized economy."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Barlow, Maude. (June 1999). Blue gold: The global water crisis and the commodification of the world's water supply: a special report produced and published by the International Forum on Globalization (IFG)." Retrieved from web site: http://www.ifg.org/analysis/reports/bgsummary.htm
• Briskin, Linda. The equity project in Canadian unions: Confronting the challenge of restructuring and globalisation.
• Canadian Labour Congress. (2006). Retrieved from web site: http://canadianlabour.ca/
• Cohen, Marjorie Griffin. (2000). Rethinking global strategies.
• Dougherty, C. (21 April, 2001). Protests delay Trade-Summit ceremonies. The Washington Times, p. 1.

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