Minority Groups within Unions

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the different methods and strategies that minorities in Canada have utilized to advance their interests within the union movement, and what other actions they could take to further their cause.

From the Paper:

"It has not always been easy for minorities to pursue their goals via the labour movement. Until the early decades of the 20th century, Aboriginal, Black and Asian workers were not even allowed to join unions. As a result, they formed their own unions to further their interests. An example was the Order of Sleeping Car Porters - comprising black people working on the railways. Later, when they were allowed to join the mainstream unions, these unions disbanded. However, since the 1980s, minorities have been organizing separate groups within the union movement to focus on their own specific needs. This movement reflects the concept of separation, as opposed to integration - it is argued that when a group suffers particular hardships or prejudices, it should have to right to separate and focus on combating these prejudices. This can be easier than attempting to persuade the mainstream unions to focus on these minority issues. This concept was established by the women's movement, so that it was less controversial when minorities embraced it within the labour movement (Labour Studies 332 Study Guide). However, it should also be borne in mind that there is streght in solidarity - as will be discussed further below."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Genge, Susan. (1983). Lesbians and gays in the union movement. Union Sisters: Women in the Labour Movement. Eds Linda Briskin and Lynda Yantz. Toronto: The Women's Press, 1983: 161-170.
• Labour Studies 332 Study Guide. Leah, Ronnie. (1989). Linking the struggles: Racism, feminism and the union movement. Race, Class, Gender: Bonds and Barriers. Socialist Studies Series 5. Winnipeg and Toronto: Society for Socialist Studies and Between the Lines: 166-195.
• Murdock, Rebecca. (1996). Employers fired up over their duty to accommodate. Abilities, 26: 44-46.
• Sisters and Solidarity. Walker, Cathy. (1990). hiring quotas for disabled Canadians. Compass, 2: 12-16.

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