Christian Labour Association of Canada
Encyclopedia
The Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC) is a labour union
which represents workers in the construction, health care and food industries. The association was established in 1952 to represent workers on the basis of "Christian social principles". The CLAC claims that their approach to labour relations develops workers’ sense of responsibility, participation, stewardship, and dignity. The association promotes improved employee-employer relations by making labour-management committees part of its collective agreements. The CLAC opposes what they call the undemocratic, adversarial, and monopolistic practices of the labour movement.
and socialism
, which also emerged in response to the Industrial Revolution
, the Christian social movement sought to better the lives of workers. Unlike communism or socialism, it did not seek to start a revolution, or force workers to join a union. Instead, it advocated for dignity and better working and living conditions for workers and freedom of association. This philosophy became the basis of many European labour unions in the late 1800s. These unions became a force in the world of labour relations.
The union ideology adopted in North America by most unions was communist/socialist in nature. Unlike the European pluralist model, where workers could choose from multiple unions in the same workplace, labour relations in North America was based on an all-or-nothing model, where workers of a company would be represented by one union. The unions which were formed were combative and largely based in the US. Strikes and lockouts were frequent and sometimes violent due to the struggles between unions on the one hand and the police and lawmakers who sided with capitalist employers on the other hand.
By 1950, labour unions in Canada had organized themselves into 3 main groups: the Trades and Labour Congress, the Canadian Congress of Labour
, and the Catholic unions of Quebec. The unions had gained power in the political arena and clout in the labour world. About 90% of workplaces that were represented by unions were closed shops. To work in those shops, one had to be a member of the union. Major unions in Canada, except for the Catholic unions in Quebec, were mostly led by social democrats or communists.
Frans Fuykschot was appointed general secretary of CLAC and opened the union’s first office, in Hamilton, Ontario. Soon after, the first issue of The Guide, the official CLAC magazine, was published.
Although the founders of CLAC were Christian, and wanted their union to be based on Christian social principles, they never required members to be Christian.
CLAC began to gain popularity and workers joined it. Even workers who were part of other unions joined as a way to show their support for the union. Within two years, CLAC started applying for its first certifications.
After CLAC was granted certification in BC, the AFL-CIO
, a labour federation based in the US, threatened CLAC publicly, and took job action against CLAC members. Because of the Ontario Labour Board’s decision that CLAC’s constitution was discriminatory, BC later refused CLAC’s recertification application.
CLAC repeatedly tried to gain certification in Ontario, and was repeatedly denied on the basis of being discriminatory, despite the fact that the founders had further clarified the constitution in 1959 to state specifically that members and applicants did not have to personally accept the Christian values that the union was based on, and that applicants wouldn’t be discriminated against based on religion.”
Even though CLAC wasn’t allowed to put in place collective agreements or officially represent workers, people continued to join the union and send in dues money because they believed in the organization. Workers who were known to be affiliated with CLAC were often harassed and intimidated by other union members. Other unions told their members to stop working as soon as CLAC members showed up on a job site.
The pressure from outside the organization led to internal pressures. Some members wanted to take out the language in the constitution that stated that CLAC was based on Christian principles (Article 2). The arguments led the union to split in 1958, with Fuykschot and several others leaving to establish a new union—the Christian Trade Unions of Canada. The CTUC did not refer to the Bible in the basis of its constitution. The CTUC quickly received certification.
s as an expression of the principle of free association
and as a balance between individual and collective interests. They represent about 39,000 workers under some 500 collective agreements
across Canada; more than 15,000 of their workers are in Alberta. The membership is concentrated in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario, in sectors such as construction, social services, health care, emergency services, transportation, retail, education, hospitality, and manufacturing.
The CLAC's members fund a variety of benefit programs such as health and disability insurance, pension and retirement plans, apprenticeship subsidies, training grants, layoff assistance, and a strike fund. The association operates training centres in Alberta
, British Columbia
, and Ontario
, funded through negotiated education and training funds.
The association has about 150 full-time staff working from 11 regional offices, two benefit administration offices, and several training centres. The Guide, the CLAC’s official magazine, is published six times per year.
Unlike most of the Canadian labour movement, the CLAC is not affiliated with the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC)
. Furthermore, they were recently suspended from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), a global labour organization with affiliates comprising 175 million workers around the world, after the ITUC concluded that "by its published policy and by its activity CLAC indeed undermines labour conditions of workers".
bursaries.
plan and a Group RSP.
The pension plan was established in 1974, and is available for members across Canada. It is a registered defined contribution plan, which means that contributions are made every month and vested directly in the member—employers do not have access to the pension fund. The fund is overseen by a Board of Trustees, invested by outside professionals, and audited by an accounting firm.
The Group RSP is run through Great-West Life and is only available to members in western Canada.
Fund. There are two Benefit Administration offices. Western benefits are handled out of Edmonton, Alberta, while Eastern benefits are handled out of Grimsby, Ontario.
The health and welfare benefits provide coverage for needs such as vision, dental, and prescription drugs, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and an employee and family assistance program to help with personal difficulties. Coverage levels vary between collective agreements.
The providers include Standard Life
, Sun Life, RBC Insurance, AIG
, and Ceridian Lifeworks.
(CCPA), the CLAC has helped employers in British Columbia circumvent the Employment Standards Act by agreeing to contracts that provide less than the minimums afforded by law. (A provision of the Act is that it does not apply to workers represented by a union.)
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
which represents workers in the construction, health care and food industries. The association was established in 1952 to represent workers on the basis of "Christian social principles". The CLAC claims that their approach to labour relations develops workers’ sense of responsibility, participation, stewardship, and dignity. The association promotes improved employee-employer relations by making labour-management committees part of its collective agreements. The CLAC opposes what they call the undemocratic, adversarial, and monopolistic practices of the labour movement.
Background
CLAC has its roots in the Christian social movement, which grew out of the Industrial Revolution. Like communismCommunism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
and socialism
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
, which also emerged in response to the Industrial Revolution
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a period from the 18th to the 19th century where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions of the times...
, the Christian social movement sought to better the lives of workers. Unlike communism or socialism, it did not seek to start a revolution, or force workers to join a union. Instead, it advocated for dignity and better working and living conditions for workers and freedom of association. This philosophy became the basis of many European labour unions in the late 1800s. These unions became a force in the world of labour relations.
The union ideology adopted in North America by most unions was communist/socialist in nature. Unlike the European pluralist model, where workers could choose from multiple unions in the same workplace, labour relations in North America was based on an all-or-nothing model, where workers of a company would be represented by one union. The unions which were formed were combative and largely based in the US. Strikes and lockouts were frequent and sometimes violent due to the struggles between unions on the one hand and the police and lawmakers who sided with capitalist employers on the other hand.
By 1950, labour unions in Canada had organized themselves into 3 main groups: the Trades and Labour Congress, the Canadian Congress of Labour
Canadian Congress of Labour
The Canadian Congress of Labour was founded in 1940 and merged with Trades and Labour Congress of Canada to form the Canadian Labour Congress in 1956.-Founding:...
, and the Catholic unions of Quebec. The unions had gained power in the political arena and clout in the labour world. About 90% of workplaces that were represented by unions were closed shops. To work in those shops, one had to be a member of the union. Major unions in Canada, except for the Catholic unions in Quebec, were mostly led by social democrats or communists.
The Forming of CLAC
A group of Canadians, many of whom were Dutch immigrants who came to Canada after WWII, decided to form a union that followed not the principles of communism or socialism but the Christian social principles of dignity, justice, stewardship, and respect, and which allowed for freedom of association. These immigrants were accustomed to the European model of labour relations, where there was freedom of association, and where one could choose from a variety of unions. In Canada, however, people who disagreed with the policies of their union had no option to opt out of the union of their workplace, other than to work in a non-unionized shop. Many non-unionized shops had lower safety and wage standards than unionized shops. A group of these immigrants met on numerous occasions in the early 1950s, and on February 20, 1952 the Christian Labour Association (CLAC) was founded.Frans Fuykschot was appointed general secretary of CLAC and opened the union’s first office, in Hamilton, Ontario. Soon after, the first issue of The Guide, the official CLAC magazine, was published.
Although the founders of CLAC were Christian, and wanted their union to be based on Christian social principles, they never required members to be Christian.
CLAC began to gain popularity and workers joined it. Even workers who were part of other unions joined as a way to show their support for the union. Within two years, CLAC started applying for its first certifications.
Early Struggles
In 1954 CLAC applied for certifications in BC and Ontario. The BC Labour Relations Board granted certification to a CLAC local, but the Ontario Labour Relations Board denied certification based on a technicality. However, the Board expressed its concern with the fact that CLAC was based on Christian principles, believing that it would discriminate against non-Christian workers.After CLAC was granted certification in BC, the AFL-CIO
AFL-CIO
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly AFL–CIO, is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions, together representing more than 11 million workers...
, a labour federation based in the US, threatened CLAC publicly, and took job action against CLAC members. Because of the Ontario Labour Board’s decision that CLAC’s constitution was discriminatory, BC later refused CLAC’s recertification application.
CLAC repeatedly tried to gain certification in Ontario, and was repeatedly denied on the basis of being discriminatory, despite the fact that the founders had further clarified the constitution in 1959 to state specifically that members and applicants did not have to personally accept the Christian values that the union was based on, and that applicants wouldn’t be discriminated against based on religion.”
Even though CLAC wasn’t allowed to put in place collective agreements or officially represent workers, people continued to join the union and send in dues money because they believed in the organization. Workers who were known to be affiliated with CLAC were often harassed and intimidated by other union members. Other unions told their members to stop working as soon as CLAC members showed up on a job site.
The pressure from outside the organization led to internal pressures. Some members wanted to take out the language in the constitution that stated that CLAC was based on Christian principles (Article 2). The arguments led the union to split in 1958, with Fuykschot and several others leaving to establish a new union—the Christian Trade Unions of Canada. The CTUC did not refer to the Bible in the basis of its constitution. The CTUC quickly received certification.
Certification: 1963
Frustrated by the Ontario Labour Board’s repeated refusal to recognize CLAC locals, CLAC applied for a judicial review by the Ontario Supreme Court of the Labour Board’s refusal to grant certification to CLAC Local 52. In 1963, Chief Justice McRuer issued a decision disagreeing with the Labour Board’s refusal to certify CLAC, saying that the Board had erred in three ways: first, in allowing old, irrelevant evidence to be used in making its decision; second, in misinterpreting the anti-discriminatory statute, and thus misapplying it to CLAC; and finally, in denying CLAC certification without any legal basis. Justice McRuer found that neither CLAC’s constitution nor its practices were discriminatory. He ordered the Board’s decision to be quashed, and CLAC gained the right to certify locals.Practices and policies
In negotiating wages and benefits for its members, the CLAC considers the "economic viability of the enterprise". The association espouses open shopOpen shop
An open shop is a place of employment at which one is not required to join or financially support a union as a condition of hiring or continued employment...
s as an expression of the principle of free association
Freedom of association
Freedom of association is the individual right to come together with other individuals and collectively express, promote, pursue and defend common interests....
and as a balance between individual and collective interests. They represent about 39,000 workers under some 500 collective agreements
Collective bargaining
Collective bargaining is a process of negotiations between employers and the representatives of a unit of employees aimed at reaching agreements that regulate working conditions...
across Canada; more than 15,000 of their workers are in Alberta. The membership is concentrated in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario, in sectors such as construction, social services, health care, emergency services, transportation, retail, education, hospitality, and manufacturing.
The CLAC's members fund a variety of benefit programs such as health and disability insurance, pension and retirement plans, apprenticeship subsidies, training grants, layoff assistance, and a strike fund. The association operates training centres in Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, and Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, funded through negotiated education and training funds.
The association has about 150 full-time staff working from 11 regional offices, two benefit administration offices, and several training centres. The Guide, the CLAC’s official magazine, is published six times per year.
Unlike most of the Canadian labour movement, the CLAC is not affiliated with the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC)
Canadian Labour Congress
The Canadian Labour Congress, or CLC is a national trade union centre, the central labour body in English Canada to which most Canadian labour unions are affiliated.- Formation :...
. Furthermore, they were recently suspended from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), a global labour organization with affiliates comprising 175 million workers around the world, after the ITUC concluded that "by its published policy and by its activity CLAC indeed undermines labour conditions of workers".
Training
CLAC operates training centres in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario, and through these centres, provides many different types of courses, from industry-specific courses to general courses. CLAC also sends trainers to work sites for company-specific training, and operates computer based courses. They offer scholarships, bursaries, and apprenticeshipApprenticeship
Apprenticeship is a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a skill. Apprentices or protégés build their careers from apprenticeships...
bursaries.
Career Services
CLAC provides career services to help workers find work and employers find workers. They run this service for members and non-members from their offices in Alberta, BC, and Ontario.Retirement Plans
CLAC runs two retirement savings plans—a pensionPension
In general, a pension is an arrangement to provide people with an income when they are no longer earning a regular income from employment. Pensions should not be confused with severance pay; the former is paid in regular installments, while the latter is paid in one lump sum.The terms retirement...
plan and a Group RSP.
The pension plan was established in 1974, and is available for members across Canada. It is a registered defined contribution plan, which means that contributions are made every month and vested directly in the member—employers do not have access to the pension fund. The fund is overseen by a Board of Trustees, invested by outside professionals, and audited by an accounting firm.
The Group RSP is run through Great-West Life and is only available to members in western Canada.
Benefits
CLAC offers numerous group benefit plans, which are run through the Health and Welfare TrustHealth and Welfare Trust
A Health and welfare trust or Health and welfare plan is a tax-free vehicle for financing a corporation's healthcare costs for their employees. They were introduced in 1986 by Canada Revenue Agency in their interpretation bulletin entitled IT-85R2...
Fund. There are two Benefit Administration offices. Western benefits are handled out of Edmonton, Alberta, while Eastern benefits are handled out of Grimsby, Ontario.
The health and welfare benefits provide coverage for needs such as vision, dental, and prescription drugs, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and an employee and family assistance program to help with personal difficulties. Coverage levels vary between collective agreements.
The providers include Standard Life
Standard Life
Standard Life plc is a long term savings and investment business, with headquarters in Edinburgh and operations across the globe. It has 1.5 million shareholders in more than 50 countries and over 6 million customers.-History:...
, Sun Life, RBC Insurance, AIG
AIG
AIG is American International Group, a major American insurance corporation.AIG may also refer to:* And-inverter graph, a concept in computer theory* Answers in Genesis, a creationist organization in the U.S.* Arta Industrial Group in Iran...
, and Ceridian Lifeworks.
Criticism
Unions argue that employers are quick to voluntarily recognize the CLAC because of the CLAC's willingness to undercut industry-standard wages and working conditions that other unions struggled to improve. According to the Canadian Centre for Policy AlternativesCanadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is an independent, non-partisan, policy research institute in Canada that leans to the political left. It concentrates on economic policy, international trade, environmental justice and social policy. It is especially known for publishing an alternative...
(CCPA), the CLAC has helped employers in British Columbia circumvent the Employment Standards Act by agreeing to contracts that provide less than the minimums afforded by law. (A provision of the Act is that it does not apply to workers represented by a union.)
Construction Locals
- Construction Workers Local 6 (CLAC) represents construction workers in south-central and south-western OntarioOntarioOntario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. It was formed in 1960 as part of CTUC and merged with CLAC in 1979.
- Construction Workers Local 52 (CLAC) represents construction workers in OntarioOntarioOntario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, primarily north and east of TorontoTorontoToronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. It was formed in 1960.
- Construction Workers Local 53 (CLAC) represents construction workers in and around WindsorWindsor, OntarioWindsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
, SarniaSarnia, OntarioSarnia is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada . It is the largest city on Lake Huron and is located where the upper Great Lakes empty into the St. Clair River....
, Chatham, and LondonLondon, OntarioLondon is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
, OntarioOntarioOntario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. It was formed in 1962.
- Construction Workers Union Local 63 (CLAC) represents construction workers throughout AlbertaAlbertaAlberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
. It is CLAC’s largest local and was formed in 1966. In 2002, Construction Workers Association Local 65 was merged with Local 63.
- Transport, Construction and General Employees Association Local 66 (CLAC) primarily represents transportation, warehouse, and dock workers in British ColumbiaBritish ColumbiaBritish Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. It was formed in 1971.
- General and Allied Workers Union Local 67 (CLAC) represents construction workers in the Lower Mainland of British ColumbiaBritish ColumbiaBritish Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. It was formed in 1972 under the name Metal, Transport & Warehouse Employees Association Local No.67.
- Construction and Allied Workers’ Union Local 68 (CLAC) represents construction workers in British ColumbiaBritish ColumbiaBritish Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. It was formed in 1973.
- Construction Workers Local 150 (CLAC) represents construction workers in OntarioOntarioOntario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, primarily in St. Catharines. It was formed in 1975.
- Construction Workers Union Local 151 (CLAC) represents construction workers in SaskatchewanSaskatchewanSaskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
. It was formed in 1984 but became dormant in 1992 when the government of Saskatchewan disallowed all unions, except for certain trade unions, from representing workers in the construction industry. Local 151 was re-certified in 2010 once the restrictions were struck down by Bill 80.
- Construction Workers Union Local 152 (CLAC) represents construction workers in ManitobaManitobaManitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
. It was formed in 1986.
Manufacturing and Transportation Locals
- Pre-Board Screeners, Logistics, Manufacturing and Allied Trades Union Local 56 (CLAC) represents transportation and manufacturing workers, primarily in AlbertaAlbertaAlberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
. It was established in 1964 under the name Edson Truck Drivers and Warehousemen Association No. 56 and Transport, Warehousemen and Allied Trades Association No. 56.
- Lode King Workers’ Association Local 204 (CLAC) represents Lode King employees in Winkler, ManitobaWinkler, ManitobaWinkler is a small city with a population of about 9,900 located in southern Manitoba, Canada in the Rural Municipality of Stanley...
. It was formed in 2006.
- Manufacturing, Transportation & Allied Workers Union Local 519 (CLAC) represents manufacturing workers in Chatham, OntarioChatham, OntarioChatham is the largest community in the municipality of Chatham-Kent, Ontario. Formerly serving as the seat of Kent County, the governments of the former city of Chatham, the county of Kent, and its townships were merged into one entity known as the Municipality of Chatham-Kent in 1998.Located on...
. It was formed in 2001.
Health Care and Service Locals
- Health Care and Service Employee’ Union Local 301 (CLAC) represents healthcare and service workers, and voice-over professionals in AlbertaAlbertaAlberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
. It was formed in 1983.
- Niagara Health Care and Service Workers Union Local 302 (CLAC) represents healthcare and service workers in the Niagara region. It was formed in 1988.
- Southwestern Ontario Health Care and Service Workers Union local 303 (CLAC) represents healthcare, home care, child care, and service workers, primarily in and around LondonLondon, OntarioLondon is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
and Chatham, OntarioOntarioOntario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. It was formed in 2001.
- Health Care and Service Workers Union Local 304 (CLAC) represents healthcare, home care, and service workers in south-central OntarioOntarioOntario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. It was formed in 2001.
- Grand River Valley Health Care Employees Union Local 305 (CLAC) represents retirement and nursing home workers in and around HamiltonHamilton, OntarioHamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
, Brantford, CambridgeCambridge, OntarioCambridge is a city located in Southern Ontario at the confluence of the Grand and Speed rivers in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. It is an amalgamation of the City of Galt, the towns of Preston and Hespeler, and the hamlet of Blair.Galt covers the largest portion of...
, and StratfordStratford, OntarioStratford is a city on the Avon River in Perth County in southwestern Ontario, Canada with a population of 32,000.When the area was first settled by Europeans in 1832, the townsite and the river were named after Stratford-upon-Avon, England. It is the seat of Perth County. Stratford was...
, OntarioOntarioOntario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. It was formed in 2005.
Volunteer Firefighters Locals
- Greater Hamilton Volunteer Firefighters Association Local 911 (CLAC) represents volunteer firefighters in HamiltonHamilton, OntarioHamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
. It was formed in 2004.
- Eastern Ontario Volunteer Firefighters Association Local 920 (CLAC) represents volunteer firefighters in BellevilleBelleville, OntarioBelleville is a city located at the mouth of the Moira River on the Bay of Quinte in Southern Ontario, Canada, in the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor. It is the seat of Hastings County, but is politically independent of it. and the centre of the Bay of Quinte Region...
and Quinte West. It was formed in 2005.
Education Local
- Education, Service, and Health Care Union Local 306 (CLAC) represents education assistants and custodians near SteinbachSteinbach, ManitobaSteinbach is a city of approx. 13,500 people in the southeast corner of the province of Manitoba, Canada, a short distance from the capital Winnipeg. Steinbach is the largest community in the Eastman region of Manitoba. The city is located in the R.M. of Hanover and bordered to the east by the R.M...
and WinklerWinkler, ManitobaWinkler is a small city with a population of about 9,900 located in southern Manitoba, Canada in the Rural Municipality of Stanley...
. It was formed in 2007.
General Local
- General Workers Union Local 504 (CLAC) represents workers in SaskatchewanSaskatchewanSaskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
. It was formed in 2010.
External links
- www.clac.ca - Official website.
- www.clacblog.ca - Blog written by CLAC executive director, Dick Heinen.
- www.hanksblog.ca - Blog written by CLAC Ontario provincial director, Hank Beekhuis.
- www.atimetocare.ca - A campaign by CLAC for more government funding to increase elderly care time to 3.5 hours per day.
- www.thetruthaboutclac.ca - A website critical of CLAC produced by the Alberta Federation of Labour.