United they stand.

The only workers could fight to end their bleak working conditions in the 19th century was to unite. British immigrants introduced trade unions to Canada early in the 19th century but the small craft unions that did exist were weak; and, they were illegal

In 1871, a group of Toronto unions, including bakers, shoemakers, iron molders and typographers, set up the Toronto Trades Assembly. It soon began to fight for a nine-hour day, following the U.S. and British example.

But, it wasn't until 1872, under Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald, that government passed legislation to make union organization legal in Canada. Eleven years later, in 1883, the Trades and Labour Congress of Canada (TLCC) was formed as a national central body for Canadian unions. It was the forerunner of today's Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), which represents about two-thirds of unionized employees in Canada.

The formation of the TLCC was a major step in the fight for better, more humane working conditions. But, workers still had a tough struggle ahead of them.

At the turn of the century, government regulations were issued to eliminate child labour and hazardous working conditions and legislation was enacted to resolve industrial disputes. In 1900, the federal Department of Labour opened for business.

But, in spite of these inroads and the new legal status for unions, strikers still received harsh treatment. Some were fired from their jobs. Others were black-listed (put on a list of people employers refused to hire), and often they were forced back to work at gunpoint on government orders. Between 1901 and 1913, there were 14 large strikes across Canada. In 11 of these, strikers were ordered back to work by the government. And, in case the workers might disobey, the army could be called on to persuade them to change their minds.

Workers were not protected from safety and health hazards at work as they are now. The first provincial Workman's Compensation Act was passed by Ontario in 1914. In addition, the Canada Labour Code includes a wide variety of regulations protecting the safety and health of workers who come under federal jurisdiction.

The labour movement was set back during two world wars. During World War I, (1914-1918), employers took advantage of wartime conditions to replace the eight-hour day with the thirteen- or fourteen-hour day. During World War II, (1939-1945), wartime restraints were imposed on wages. But unions continued to gain strength.

The Trades and Labour Congress of Canada, composed of craft unions, had existed for more than 50 years. Another central body, the Canadian Congress of Labour, was formed in the 1940s. It was made up of industrial unions. These are the two groups which eventually merged in 1956 to become the Canadian Labour Congress. A third central body was the Canadian and Catholic Confederation of Labour in Quebec, founded in 1921, which has since become the Confederation of National Trade Unions.

For fifty years, union membership increased dramatically. Between 1921 and 1976 it grew almost ten times, from 313,000 to about 3 million, from 13% of the paid workforce to 34%. By the beginning of 1981, union membership in Canada stood at 3,487,231, representing 37.4% of non-agricultural paid workers. By 1988, the unionization rate of employed workers in Canada had dropped to 33.7%.

While unions generally improve social and economic conditions for workers, public attitudes toward them vary. A survey by the Insurance Bureau of Canada in Ontario in 1989 said labour unions had a 43% approval rating. This was significantly higher than insurance companies (28%), Canada Post (36%) and oil companies (38%). In a 1985 British Columbia survey, 71% of respondents agreed with the statement that employers' power needs to be balanced by unions. Sixty-six per cent thought workers would have little protection against management without unions, and 59% felt the growth of unionism has made our democracy stronger.

However, 65% thought union demands often contribute to unemployment and only 44% agreed that union leaders usually represent the best interests of their members.

Downsizing in union- represented industries also has had a dramatic effect on membership. The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada has lost more than 4,000 members in recent years. Downtime in the pulp and paper industry and the steep costs of organizing and servicing small bargaining units have led to a cash crisis for the CEP. Based in Ottawa, the union is the fourth-largest private-sector union, representing 150,000 workers. A 10% dues increase in 1997 didn't cover CEP's debt so it has had to consider cutting back its own staff of 141 and chopping organizing activities.

But, the growing service sector is helping to make up the membership losses in the blue-collar sector. Described by some as the sweatshop of the 1990s, the service sector was ripe for the picking. Various unions launched national campaigns to organize those in minimum-wage service jobs -- hamburger flippers, motel workers, and security guards, for example. The aggressive drives boosted union membership to about 36.5% by 1992 in spite of heavy job losses in the highly unionized manufacturing sector.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES:

1. Research standards of living a century ago when craftspeople took pride in making products from start to finish. What was life like in a typical small town? A city? Were they really the good old days?

2. Report on the 19th century working conditions outlined in Charles Dickens' book David Copperfield.