Things CLAC Members Can Do
There are many CLAC members who aren't happy with the job CLAC is doing for them. The good news is that there are things you can do about it!
Am I a Member of CLAC?
CLAC locals go by a variety of names, so you may be a CLAC member and not even know it! Here are some of the names of CLAC locals in the province of Alberta:
Health Care & Service Employees Union (CLAC Local 301)
Transport, Warehouseman & Allied Trades Association (CLAC Local 56)
Food Processing, Wholesale & Retail Employees Union (CLAC Local 502)
Construction Workers Union (CLAC Locals 63 and 65)
In other provinces, CLAC goes by many names:
Construction Workers (CLAC Local 6)
Construction Workers Union (CLAC Locals 52, 53, 150, 151, 152)
Niagara Health Care & Service Workers Union (CLAC Local 302)
Security and Service Workers Union (CLAC Local 503)
Association of Christian School Teachers and Support Staff (CLAC Local 602)
United Bakery Workers Union (CLAC Local 52)
Transportation, Construction & General Employees Association (CLAC Local 66)
General and Allied Workers Union (CLAC Local 67)
Construction and Allied Workers Union (CLAC Local 68, 153, 154)
Association of School and College Employees Union (CLAC Local 601)
Manufacturing, Transportation and Allied Workers (CLAC Local 519)
Health Care and Service Workers (CLAC Local 304)
Southwestern Ontario Health Care & Service Workers (CLAC Local 303)
Greater Hamilton Volunteer Firefighters Association (CLAC Local 911)
Ontario Student Solidarity (CLAC Local 777)
Grand River Valley Health Care Employees' Union (CLAC Local 305)
And, of course, Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC Locals 44, 501)
If you belong to one of these CLAC locals, there are things that you can do...
Dedicate your CLAC dues to the charity of your choice
CLAC brags about the fact that it doesn't make anyone join the union, saying on its website:
It is our policy that no one is forced to belong to CLAC. If you cannot in good conscience support the union, you do not need to sign a membership card, and you can apply to CLAC to have your dues directed to a mutually agreed upon charity.
So, if you don't want your money going to an association you believe is in the pocket of management, contact CLAC and tell them you want to give your dues to the charity of your choice.
Keep in mind that workers who are granted non-member status cannot participate in CLAC affairs and have no voting rights. However, CLAC still has the duty of fair representation to you as a member of the bargaining unit.
Talk to your local shop steward (if you have one, and you know who it is!) or contact one of the CLAC offices in Alberta:
Edmonton Office
780-454-6181
Email Dick Heinen, Alberta Representative at dheinen@clac.ca
Calgary Office
403-686-0288 or 1-866-686-0288
Email Paul de Jong, Alberta Representative at pdejong@clac.ca
Talk to co-workers
Unfortunately, many workers who are covered by a CLAC contract aren't aware of what kind of association CLAC really is. Many "members" may never have even talked to someone representing CLAC.
So, it's important that workers who know talk to their co-workers about the real nature of CLAC, because that's the first step in doing something about it - whether that means making sure your money isn't going to CLAC or getting together with other workers to get a real union.
Talk to your co-workers. Let them know your concerns about CLAC. To help you, you can download our pamphlet about CLAC or download our information card to give to co-workers so they can visit this website and decide for themselves.
Find out what your union is up to: attend meetings
CLAC often gets away with activities that aren't in the best interest of the people it's supposed to represent because nobody knows what they're doing.
Find out what CLAC is doing in your name. Contact your shop steward or call the CLAC offices in Alberta to find out when the next local meeting is. Ask questions and challenge them on their positions and make sure that they're doing what they're meant to be doing - looking out for your interests, not your employer's.
Unfortunately, some workers who have tried to get involved with CLAC have found out that they aren't welcome.
Get a union!
If you want a union that will stand up for you at work, there are many different unions in Alberta who can represent you. So, get a union!
Duty of Fair Representation
Every union, and even CLAC, has a legal responsibility to fairly represent all members of the bargaining unit on matters in the collective agreement. This is what is called the duty of fair representation.
The Alberta Labour Relations Board explains it like this:
When a union is certified, or is voluntarily recognized by the employer, it becomes the exclusive bargaining agent for all employees in a bargaining unit. The union then negotiates and enforces a collective agreement. If a union believes the employer is violating the collective agreement, it enforces the agreement by filing a grievance. Unions have a large amount of discretion when they deal with grievances. For example, unions may settle or drop grievances even if the affected employee disagrees. To counterbalance this power, the Labour Relations Code requires unions to fairly represent all members of the bargaining unit on matters in the collective agreement. This duty of fair representation requires unions act in good faith. Unions may not act arbitrarily or discriminatorily when processing grievances. Employees or former employees may complain to the Labour Relations Board if they believe a union has not fairly represented them.
If you feel that you have not been fairly represented by CLAC, there are steps you can take to make CLAC do the job they're meant to do. In most cases, the complaint must be filed within 90 days of the incident involved.
Visit the Alberta Labour Relations Board webpage about the duty of fair representation for more information.
You can also contact us if you feel that you have not been represented by CLAC and we may be able to help.
