English is the main language of Fredericton & District Labour Council facebook group. Having alot of group type in Facebook: close, open and secret and it is a CLOSED group. There are 164 participants in that group. So people rank it like a Tiny group. You can find this group by searching 154143497989320 on Google, Bing or Yahoo. Last update is on 2015-02-13 08:53:17.
THE FREDERICTON & DISTRICT LABOUR COUNCIL
Every municipality in Canada should have a District Labour Council, and many do. Here in New Brunswick we have active District Labour Councils in Saint John, Moncton, Miramichi, Restigouche, Edmundston and Bathurst. These Councils have many affiliates.
Why Join?
By joining together and supporting each other in a labour council we can become a stronger force in our community, we can help each other better, and we can build the labour movement.
What do we do?
Support one another
Provide labour education
Lobby governments on workers' issues and rights
Work on campaigns to support working families' issues
Work on campaigns of our local union affiliates
Help to encourage more union members
Help to build stronger communities
Organize labour events like Labour Day and National Day of Mourning
Work with many labour organizations, including the CLC and the New Brunswick Federation of Labour
Collective action in the community too!
The history of the struggle of working people emphasizes the point that in unity there is strength. Through collective action, workers formed unions so they could have a voice in deciding wages, working conditions and addressing the many problems and issues that arise in the workplace.
Just as workers use collective strength in the workplace to achieve their goals, so should they use collective action to improve the quality of life in the communities where they live. Labour councils are the vehicle to provide the collective strength and a strong voice for workers and their families in the community.
What are the Benefits to a Union Local of joining the FDLC?
IDENTIFYING ISSUES
Labour council meetings and activities are opportunities to share information on issues affecting unions and their membership in the community. Through identifying issues, local awareness is built. Furthermore, support can be generated through collective action.
CONFLICT AND/OR STRIKE SUPPORT
Labour councils can provide support for local unions who are in conflict with employers. When locals participate on a regular basis at labour councils, all other locals participating are aware of the issues well before any conflict, strike or lock-out takes place. This ensures community and union support can come quickly in an effort to resolve problems.
COMMUNITY NETWORKING
Labour councils are participating more and more in networks and local coalitions. This provides the opportunity for local unions to keep informed on current issues affecting community groups. In addition, it gives locals who may be looking for support the avenue to reach directly into numerous organizations and tell their story. When more people understand the issue, more support for an issue is usually generated.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Every labour council has at least one opportunity during the year to host week-end Trade Union School. As a participant in the labour council, each local union has the chance to be part of the discussion process regarding courses which will be offered. The vast array of courses offered through the CLC education programs provide local unions with opportunities for trade union education among their activists and members.
COMMITTEE WORK
Each labour council has a number of committees which allow local union delegates to use their skills to great advantage by becoming active members of these bodies.
Examples of committees a council may include: Women’s, Education, Human Rights, Union Label & Labour Day, Community Outreach, Membership and Strike Support.
MUNICIPAL POLITICAL ACTION
Fredericton municipal elections are coming up in May 2012. Many labour councils over the years have been very effective in shaping the political landscape in their communities Municipal politics can have a great impact on local unions, their members and the public at large. As a voice for progressive change, social justice, equality and workers’ rights, the council can play a significant role in supporting labour candidates or progressive candidates who share Labour’s views on the above issues and others. Your local union can be part of all discussions on Labour’s municipal political actions.
LEADERSHIP ROLES IN THE LABOUR MOVEMENT
As a participating local in the labour council, local delegates have the opportunity to take on leadership roles, whether it be as an executive member or committee person. Labour council experiences can bring new skills to people aspiring to leadership positions in their locals.
SUMMARY
Labour councils can be of great importance to the communities in which we all live. However, labour councils can only make a difference when local unions care enough to be part of building labour’s voice in the community.