PPWC Local 8, as as well PPWC National, are proud members of the Confederation of Canadian Unions, the country’s largest association of independent unions. The CCU includes over 10,000 members in six affiliated unions, in both the public and private sector.

The Confederation of Canadian Unions 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 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 and its affiliates are active in the struggle for a new world based on the ideals of equality, democracy, environmental sustainability and solidarity.

About the CCU

The Confederation of Canadian Unions (CCU) is the nation’s largest federation of independent labour unions.

The Confederation of Canadian Unions supports, participates and works co-operatively with many social activist groups, including the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, the Maquila Solidarity Network, Council of Canadians, the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group (ICLMG), various health coalitions, Make Poverty History, and Gathering Place, among others. We write submissions and lobby all levels of government on issues such as health care, education, pay equity, social services, forestry, fair trade, and labour standards for workers.

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.

1. To unite all workers in one democratic, national independent Canadian labour movement;

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

3. To protect its members from illegal and unjust treatment;

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

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

6. 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;

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

8. 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;

9. To aid in organizing the unorganized.