York University Staff Association (YUSA)

Confederation of Canadian Unions

The York University Staff Association is a founding and proud member of the Confederation of Canadian Unions (CCU), the largest affiliation of independent unions in the country. The CCU was founded in 1969 on the initiative of Kent Rowley and Madeleine Parent, both of whom have been called by authors and historians as two of the finest labour organizers in our country’s history.

The CCU is dedicated to the establishment of a democratic, independent Canadian labour movement free of the influence of American-based international unions. The CCU includes almost 20,000 members in affiliated unions in both the public and private sector. The CCU and its affiliates are active in the struggle for a new world based on the ideals of democracy, equity, environmental sustainability and global solidarity.

Go to the CCU Website

Go to the CCU Labour School Site

Protecting Workers

To protect its members from illegal and unjust treatment

Economic Justice for All

To establish a just standard of income, working hours and conditions for all who work for a living

Unity is Strength

To protect its members from illegal and unjust treatment

Protecting Our Environment

To promote and develop awareness in the dangers of environmental pollution, to educate its members in the need for controls and prevention of the pollution of our environment

Fighting for Workers Rights

To promote the study, defense, and development of the economic, social and moral interests of all workers

Holding Government Accountable

To obtain improved legislation, and just application of legislation in the interests of all workers

Don’t Mourn: Organize

To aid in organizing the unorganized

Collective Bargaining Experience

To aid workers in their efforts to form independent, Canadian unions, and if necessary, or requested, to regulate relations between employees and employers, including but not limited to the right to bargain collectively on their behalf and to act as a bargaining agent, after full review and concurrence of the Executive Board

Bringing Workers Together

To promote the merger or affiliation of affiliated unions with related interest and principles

The Confederation of Canadian Unions also supports affiliates during labour disputes, difficult economic times and has established a travel pool to assist affiliates with travel expenses to ensure the greatest amount of participation by members and bottom-up democracy. The CCU has been a progressive leader in the struggle for workers’ rights and social justice for all Canadians and was the first labour federation in Canada to call for equal pay for work of equal value.

The CCU supports, participates and works cooperatively with various progressive activist groups, including the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the Council of Canadians, among others. It lobbies all levels of government on issues such as health care, education, pay equity, social services, forestry, fair trade, and labour standards for workers. The CCU holds executive board meetings every four months and well-attended labour schools that are recorded and placed on the CCU website and social media.

See the Documentary

The 47-minute documentary, called The Voice for Independent Unions in Canada, illustrates the CCU’s dedication to the establishment of a democratic, independent labour movement, its newfound working relationship with the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), and its commitment to growth and renewal. The documentary also focuses on the struggles of labour activists inside the CCU, its proud history, its work with social justice activists in Canada and around the globe, and the new economic challenges of wage stagnation and growing inequality.

The documentary was submitted to over 50 film and documentary festivals in Canada and around the world in 2014 and 2015, including the Sundance Film Festival and the Toronto Hot Docs Festival. Be sure to watch the documentary in full screen and High Definition. Click on the little wheel in the bottom right corner of the video to the left of the YouTube icon, and then press 1080p HD. For full screen, simply press the little square to the right of the YouTube icon. Director and Editor: Sean Cain Executive Producer: Joanie Cameron Pritchett