SS10-1 Lesson 2B (Union Awareness)

During the last few decades, unions have been shrinking due to company competitiveness.  Workers recieve lower wages, fewer days off, and other unfair regulated rules.  In Canada, only 30% of the nation's workers are involved in a union.  What is so important about unions?  In my opinion, being aware of the world's problems will educate us and prepare us for your own problems at in the future.

I feel very strongly about unions for they fight constantly for equal and fair human rights.  Well, actually they fight for worker rights.  Still, workers are people, and people need to be treated fairly.

Today, one of the largest union organizations called the International Labour Organization still fights for worker/union rights across the world. 

Where do computer parts like Intel Processors come from?

Do the labourers who make them receive fair working rights?

You might be asking, "yes, this is all very interesting but I don't see how a place like Canada is involved with the mistreatment of workers and unions?"  Luckily, this question can be answered with an example. 

Let's say an international company in Costa Rica mass produces something valuable like processors for computers.  Once the product is built by the labour force, the company pays a fee to deliver the product to a country like Canada.  Once their, the price of the product is altered or lowered so that Canadians will buy the processors in mass.  Let's say Canadians pay a hypothetical $56 a piece for the product.  Most of this price will pay for the international company in Costa Rica.  A percentage will pay for the shipping and handling.  Finally, only a small percentage will actually go to pay the workers.

Miners who dig for materials needed to make Intel processors and other computer parts are payed little to nothing.

Because of these unfair wages, unions are formed by the work force to try and bend labour laws to allow more rights and fair treatment in that company.

 Do you think Walmart is evil?

Unions are fighting a war...a war to gain a better existance.

To support workers and unions, people have created free trade products that are priced so that all people associated with the creation of that product receive fair wages

You may be paying extra for your Bannanas, but the workforce around the world just earned another right to live a happy and fufilling life.