Fédération des travailleurs du Québec
Encyclopedia
The Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (Quebec Federation of Labour), or FTQ, is the largest labour federation in Quebec
in terms of its membership. It has over 500,000 members, who account for 44% of the unionised workers in Quebec. This ratio is 60% in the private sector
, in which most members work. It also has many members in government agencies.
It was created in 1957 out of two very old unions, the Fédération provinciale du travail du Québec (Quebec Provincial Labour Federation) and the Fédération des unions industrielles du Québec (Federation of Quebec Industrial Unions), and was mostly developed under the presidency of Louis Laberge
from 1964 to 1991 with help from American unions that were afraid of seeing industry relocated in Canada.
The Federation is not known to be especially politically active, and tends to favour collaboration with employers. Michel Arsenault is its current president and René Roy
is its secretary.
The FTQ is unusual among labour unions in that it founded (in 1983) and controls a capital investment fund called "Fonds de solidarité FTQ" which it uses to collaborate with and influence industrial groups and to promote economic growth. In November 2006 its investment fund stood at more than 6.8 billion dollars.
The FTQ endorsed the Parti Québécois
for the 2007 Quebec Election
, but criticized their call for a new referendum
.
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
in terms of its membership. It has over 500,000 members, who account for 44% of the unionised workers in Quebec. This ratio is 60% in the private sector
Private sector
In economics, the private sector is that part of the economy, sometimes referred to as the citizen sector, which is run by private individuals or groups, usually as a means of enterprise for profit, and is not controlled by the state...
, in which most members work. It also has many members in government agencies.
It was created in 1957 out of two very old unions, the Fédération provinciale du travail du Québec (Quebec Provincial Labour Federation) and the Fédération des unions industrielles du Québec (Federation of Quebec Industrial Unions), and was mostly developed under the presidency of Louis Laberge
Louis Laberge
Joseph Léo Louis Laberge, OQ was a French Canadian labour union leader. He was president of the Fédération des travailleurs du Québec ....
from 1964 to 1991 with help from American unions that were afraid of seeing industry relocated in Canada.
The Federation is not known to be especially politically active, and tends to favour collaboration with employers. Michel Arsenault is its current president and René Roy
Rene Roy
René François Joseph Roy was a French economist. He is primarily recognized for the contribution now known as Roy's identity.-References:...
is its secretary.
The FTQ is unusual among labour unions in that it founded (in 1983) and controls a capital investment fund called "Fonds de solidarité FTQ" which it uses to collaborate with and influence industrial groups and to promote economic growth. In November 2006 its investment fund stood at more than 6.8 billion dollars.
The FTQ endorsed the Parti Québécois
Parti Québécois
The Parti Québécois is a centre-left political party that advocates national sovereignty for the province of Quebec and secession from Canada. The Party traditionally has support from the labour movement. Unlike many other social-democratic parties, its ties with the labour movement are informal...
for the 2007 Quebec Election
Quebec general election, 2007
The Quebec general election of 2007 was held in the Canadian province of Quebec on March 26, 2007 to elect members of the 38th National Assembly of Quebec. The Quebec Liberal Party led by Jean Charest managed to win a plurality of seats, but were reduced to a minority government, Quebec's first in...
, but criticized their call for a new referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
.
See also
- CSD
- CSQCentrale des syndicats du QuébecThe Centrale des syndicats du Québec , or CSQ, is the third most important trade union in Quebec, Canada, according to membership....
- CSNConfédération des Syndicats NationauxThe Confédération des syndicats nationaux , is the second largest trade union federation in Quebec by membership.- History :...
External links
- FTQ homepage (mostly in French)