Too much of a good thing?

The Fraser Institute uses the British problems with over-powerful unions in the 1970s as an example of how destructive they can be. There is nowhere near the same labour imbalance in Canada but the Institute says union security measures -- such as the "closed shop," and "union shop" systems, both of which require union membership for all workers -- can actually have a negative effect on some employees.

Proposed changes to the Canada Labour Code are also likely to upset business groups. The most controversial part of Bill C-66 is a proposal to ban the use of replacement workers during a strike or lockout. The business community says some companies are likely to go under if they can't hire replacement workers during a strike. But, many employers are reluctant to use replacements because it undermines employee relations and morale.

Another proposal is designed to help unions certify off-site workers, such as homeworkers or teleworkers. Under the legislation, an employer would be obliged to provide a union representative with all the names and addresses of employees who normally work off the premises owned or controlled by the employer. Unions would then be allowed to contact them about membership or other union activities. Again, business is concerned about privacy and higher rates of unionization leading to more rigid employment practices.

The Bill also would establish an Industrial Relations Board and give it the power to certify a trade union if it believes an employer has acted unfairly, even if most employees do not support the formation of a union.

Although the clause is intended to stop employers from using intimidation to prevent certification of a non-union site, opponents feel it gives the Board too much power.