Unit 2 IDRL 215 exam study prep Questions
With Verified Answers 2024/2025
What were some of the first Canadian unions, and who did they organize?
Earlier organisation of workers was based on the craft union model where workers were organized
based on their specific trade, geographical location and were comprised of a small group of workers.
Earliest recording of unions in Canada were printers, shoemakers and tailors.
What was the response from employers and the state to union efforts in the Pre-War period?
Employers resorted to using violence and legal action to control and stop unionization. Legislators
began using charges of "criminal conspiracy" and monopoly laws against organizers in an attempt to
stop union growth. The state would send police to break up union rallies/strikes.
What is PC 1003 and why is it significant for Canadian trade unions?
The PC 1003 (1944) was based on the Wagner Act in the USA. This was an order in council in place
during the war which gave employers the right to collective bargaining and have unions act as their
bargaining agent.
This order in council was eventually created into an Act which ended up being the precursor to the
Canada Labor code. This lead to each jurisdiction enacting its own, similar regulation.
What are some of the highlights of union history since WWII?
The rand formula was established. This is when dues are automatically deducted from every workers
paycheque. Membership is voluntary however all workers must pay dues as they all stand to benefit
from the unions actions.
PC1003 was made permanent into an act
Public sector unionzation was prioritized
Strike activity rose
Unions expanded their efforts to attract other demographics besides blue collar males.
What was the primary position of the state towards unions before WWII?
The state was anti-union. They believed that unions had a negative impact on the economy. The state
used an emergency motion which altered the Immigrant act which allowed immediate deportation of
any immigrating. Additionally the criminal code allowed police to make arrests based on suspicion.
What factors finally led to the passing of PC 1003 in 1944?
Strikes had increased due to better guidance, leadership and finances provided by international
affiliations. The USA had the Wagner act and Canada was being criticized for it's ineffectiveness.
Growing Pro union voters. Pressure on government was successful and pro union legislation began.
Why did the 1950s and 1960s witness significant union growth, and what changed in the 1970s and
1980s to bring that growth to an end?
In the 1950's legislation aided workers ability to organise and collectively bargain. Growth in the 60's
was due to the increase in public sector workers. In the 1980's the rise of neoliberalism strained labor
relations and anti-union sentiments began to ramp up.
With Verified Answers 2024/2025
What were some of the first Canadian unions, and who did they organize?
Earlier organisation of workers was based on the craft union model where workers were organized
based on their specific trade, geographical location and were comprised of a small group of workers.
Earliest recording of unions in Canada were printers, shoemakers and tailors.
What was the response from employers and the state to union efforts in the Pre-War period?
Employers resorted to using violence and legal action to control and stop unionization. Legislators
began using charges of "criminal conspiracy" and monopoly laws against organizers in an attempt to
stop union growth. The state would send police to break up union rallies/strikes.
What is PC 1003 and why is it significant for Canadian trade unions?
The PC 1003 (1944) was based on the Wagner Act in the USA. This was an order in council in place
during the war which gave employers the right to collective bargaining and have unions act as their
bargaining agent.
This order in council was eventually created into an Act which ended up being the precursor to the
Canada Labor code. This lead to each jurisdiction enacting its own, similar regulation.
What are some of the highlights of union history since WWII?
The rand formula was established. This is when dues are automatically deducted from every workers
paycheque. Membership is voluntary however all workers must pay dues as they all stand to benefit
from the unions actions.
PC1003 was made permanent into an act
Public sector unionzation was prioritized
Strike activity rose
Unions expanded their efforts to attract other demographics besides blue collar males.
What was the primary position of the state towards unions before WWII?
The state was anti-union. They believed that unions had a negative impact on the economy. The state
used an emergency motion which altered the Immigrant act which allowed immediate deportation of
any immigrating. Additionally the criminal code allowed police to make arrests based on suspicion.
What factors finally led to the passing of PC 1003 in 1944?
Strikes had increased due to better guidance, leadership and finances provided by international
affiliations. The USA had the Wagner act and Canada was being criticized for it's ineffectiveness.
Growing Pro union voters. Pressure on government was successful and pro union legislation began.
Why did the 1950s and 1960s witness significant union growth, and what changed in the 1970s and
1980s to bring that growth to an end?
In the 1950's legislation aided workers ability to organise and collectively bargain. Growth in the 60's
was due to the increase in public sector workers. In the 1980's the rise of neoliberalism strained labor
relations and anti-union sentiments began to ramp up.
