The landscape of labour unions in North America has undergone significant changes in recent years. These changes reflect broad societal shifts and economic pressures. Teachers understand these dynamics because they directly affect our profession, our families and the support systems we rely on. Seeing these shifts, over the past few years Alberta teachers have been thinking more and more about what the union function of their professional Association means to them.
In the United States (U.S.), support for labour unions has reached its highest level in decades. Recent polls show that approximately 67 per cent of Americans approve of unions, a sentiment not seen since the 1960s. In a similar vein, in Canada 62 per cent of us believe belonging to a union is a good thing. This resurgence of support is driven by growing awareness of workers’ rights and the critical role unions play in advocating for fair wages, safe working conditions and job security.
Support for the profession is not just a matter of better pay. It is about respect for teachers as professionals and adequate resources for public education.
This renewed support is clear across various sectors, including education. Teacher unions in the U.S., such as the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), have been at the forefront of advocating for better pay, smaller class sizes and improved working conditions. Like advocacy work happening across Canada, these efforts are not just about improving the lives of teachers and other school staff, but also about ensuring quality public education for students.
The support in the U.S. reaches up to the government, with the Democrats vocal in their support for organized labour. We have not seen the same government support in Canada.
Recently the Canadian federal government intervened in a labour dispute involving the Canadian National Railway (CN) and the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), ordering workers engaged in labour action back to work. This was a surprising move by the Liberal government (who, quite frankly, doesn’t have enough social capital with Canadians to cut out union support). This also sparked a lot of controversy, as it has been viewed as a move that undermines union regulations and the right to strike. The Teamsters Canadian Rail Conference (TCRD), which represents nearly ten thousand rail workers, filed a lawsuit challenging this order. The results of the lawsuit will be telling. Will the laws around union rights be compromised at a time when union support is so high?
This intervention also highlights a broader issue in Canada: the tension between economic imperatives and workers’ rights. For teachers in Alberta, this is a familiar story. The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) has long been engaged in battles over funding, class sizes and the professional autonomy of teachers. Budget cuts, higher student numbers and an inadequate funding model have only intensified these struggles, making support for the profession more critical than ever.
For teachers, support for the profession is not just a matter of better pay. It is about respect for teachers as professionals and adequate resources for public education. The ATA has been vocal about the need for better funding for schools, more support to address complexity in the classroom and smaller class sizes. These advocacy efforts are about improving teachers’ working conditions, yes, but also about ensuring that students receive the best possible education.
As we navigate these complex times, it is essential for teachers to stay informed of and engaged with their Association’s activities and stand up for their profession. The support for unions in the U.S. and the ongoing struggles in Canada signal the importance of collective action. By standing together, we can advocate for the resources and respect that both teachers and students deserve. ❚
Editor-in-Chief, ATA News
I welcome your comments. Contact me at kristine.wilkinson@ata.ab.ca.
