ExplainerThe Union That Doesn’t Like Confrontation

[leftylabourtech@mstdn.social]

Explainer
The Union That Doesn’t Like Confrontation

The Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC) prefers to work with, not against, employers. So what happens when workers want something different?
by
Emma Arkell,
Labour Reporter
February 25, 2026

#Canada #labour #labor #unions #workersrights

https://pressprogress.ca/clac-christian-labour-association-canada-explainer/

[beardlydavid@mstdn.ca]

@leftylabourtech

I know that in theory Christianity should advocate for the poorest of us. However, in practice we know that religious leaders side with the rich and powerful.

In light of this, why would we even allow for a union advertising itself as Christian?

I admit not knowing a lot about the CLAC but the mere inclusion of the word Christian would be enough to make me question their motives.

I hope this bill passes.

[leftylabourtech@mstdn.social]

@BeardlyDavid The article provides a bit of a history of the origins of the CLAC in Canada among postwar Dutch immigrants connected to the Dutch Reformed Church in the early 1950's. They've since evolved into a "company union"

In Quebec, the Canadian Catholic Confederation of Labour (CCCL) formed originally in the early 1920's radicalized and secularized by the 1960's and became today's CSN.

[beardlydavid@mstdn.ca]

@leftylabourtech

Yeah I read that and was surprised that I did not know the CSN started that a way. A clear hole in my history of my home province.

It is surprising, considering Québec's late arrival to secularism, that the CLAC remains named as a Christian association but the CSN does not.

I love my union and I can't imagine how things would be if we had a "company union". What an awful concept.

To my prior point, "company union" as a concept mirrors the dichotomy inherent to organized religion very well. Should be for the people is for the "man".