The temp industry is largely non-union and some of their workers have been used as strike breakers. But one major Canadian union, the United Steelworkers, is actively organizing them. Brad James, the Steelworkers' organizing co-coordinator for Ontario, Canada's largest and most industrial province, says he encounters many manufacturing assembly plants and warehouses where a mix of permanent and temporary employees exists. Both types of workers are permitted to join and become members of the same union local, adds James. Labour relations doesn't allow employers to evade their responsibility.
Temps are still employees.
Paul Weinberg is a Toronto journalist specializing in information technology issues. A shorter version of this article was originally published in Toronto's eye Weekly . All Rights Reserved. Straight Goods respects the intellectual property of our contributors. We expect our visitors will as well.