Benefits of workers’ unions made plain by Fraser Institute

Re: Balanced budget for B.C. means spending cuts, opinion, Jan. 13

In these tough times of rising costs and growing inequality, the Fraser Institute op-ed provides compelling reasons for more workers to join unions to gain better pay and benefits to help ease the financial burdens that so many British Columbians face.

The Fraser Institute report shows that union members in the private or public sector have better pay and benefits than workers who aren’t union members. It sends a clear message: if you want to gain more respect and have more power to make working life pay better, then join a union. If you would like a paid leave day to deal with a sick child or an aging parent, then join a union because unions have negotiated these benefits. If you are a female worker and tired of being paid less for doing the same work as a male counterpart, then join a union because unions have negotiated pay equity to address wage discrimination against women.

If you are one of B.C.’s half-million workers earning less than $15 an hour, then join a union to help lift you out of poverty. And if you want a secure income for your retirement, then join a union to negotiate a pension plan.

Normally, the Fraser Institute — the official think-tank for the one per cent — can be counted on to try to pull people down rather than lift everyone up. But in this case we appreciate their help in getting the message out about the benefits of belonging to a union, so that better wages and benefits can happen here. Irene Lanzinger, president, B.C. Federation of Labour