Unions have a different legal status than other organizations in Canada. Explain the ways in which unions are different and why this unique status has emerged. In your answer consider the following issues:

Assignment 1

Instructions

Assignment 1 is worth 15% of your final grade. This assignment should be submitted after you have completed the readings and learning activities for Units 1 and 2.

Write a short essay (600 to 800 words) answering the question below.  Where possible, refer to the online course materials and the assigned readings for Units 1 and 2, using proper footnoting procedures and accepted citation format for material taken directly from another source.

Essay Topic

Unions have a different legal status than other organizations in Canada. Explain the ways in which unions are different and why this unique status has emerged. In your answer consider the following issues:

• the historical roots of unionism in Canada
• the effect of Canada’s labour law regime on union structure
• union democracy and the duty of fair representation
• the effect of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms
• the notion of collective rights versus individual rights