Unions are key to fighting inequity

Ken Georgetti, Opinion, The Toronto Star:

It is also true that the more equal wage structure in unionized workplaces will set wage and benefit standards that spill over into non-union workplaces. Those non-union workers tend to be better paid when they live in communities with a critical mass of unionized workers earning decent wages. Experts at the International Monetary Fund and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development have confirmed the labour movement’s argument that the single best mechanism to narrow the income gap is broad-based collective bargaining.

Lifting up the standard of living for a broadly-based group of Canadians is good for everyone. Being in a union means earning a decent wage so that people can buy a home, a car, raise a family, take a vacation, put their kids through college, and after a lifetime of work, be able to retire in dignity. Decent salaries and pensions are good for small businesses and build a better future for our children. A good standard of living creates strong, vibrant and safe communities. Unions do make a difference by reducing inequity.

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