Universal solidarity: Recognition of minority communities in the Canadian labor union movement

Solidarity is essential to a successful labour union movement. This thesis examines historical examples of how issues of gender, race and ethnicity have been balanced with solidarity. It canvasses feminist, race and political theory for insights into how union governance structures might be configured to enhance the participation of minority communities. Legal principles underlying the duty of fair representation are discussed and it is suggested that if internalized by unions, these principles can offer a mediating process for balancing the interests of all union members. In addition, jurisprudence on the duty of unions and employers to accommodate offers insights into how individual union members might come to recognize that respect for difference is for the good of the whole union, and not "special treatment". Finally, the actual political practices of unions are discussed, and compared to proposals that contemporary political theorists have made to address issues that arise from governing a heterogeneous community. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).