Maclean’s Overlooks Unions on Top 100 Employers List
Oct 17, 2007
Once again, the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) has been selected by Maclean’s magazine as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2008. This is in addition to being selected as one of Manitoba’s Top 15 employers for the same year.
Being considered a top employer involves numerous factors. These include the physical environment of the workplace, the health benefits of the employer, financial benefits and compensation, the work atmosphere and social activities, family-friendly benefits, vacation policy and personal days off, internal communications, performance management, continuing education and professional development, and community involvement.
Being recognized as a top employer both in Manitoba and Canada is obviously a testament to having quality employees who take pride in their jobs and in their workplace. But, as Don Lussier, President and CEO of the MLCC has acknowledged, the very positive working relationship the MLCC has with the MGEU (which represents a large component of MLCC employees) is also responsible for this recognition. After all, MGEU’s efforts on behalf of its employees at the MLCC can only help to foster a more positive working environment and our successes at the bargaining table are reflected in the working conditions at the MLCC.
Looking beyond the MLCC, it is obvious that many of the employers that end up on the Top 100 list each year are those that have unionized workforces. The benefits provided by these employers are not solely the result of well-meaning and benevolent management. They are also the result of a collective bargaining relationship that exists between the employer and their employees and their unions.
Maclean’s list reinforces what numerous academic studies have already concluded: unionized workplaces are among the most productive, healthy and rewarding in the country. Unfortunately, they neglect to point out this important fact.
The bargaining process, and those hard-working volunteers who give their valuable time to help strike better collective agreements, ought to be recognized for the important role they have in helping companies such as the MLCC achieve these awards. If it weren’t for them, who knows what kind of companies would earn top marks on Maclean’s annual list.
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I totally agree with Kevin's comment with respect to employers getting all the praise for gaining top spot on the employers list for the issues employees and the hard working union representatives have accomplished through collective bargaining to ensure that the needs of employees are met by the employer. I strongly think that the effort of these hard working union reps should be recognized and acknowledged for the wonderful work being done on behalf of their members.
Alfred Koineh - -0001-11-30 00:00
Funny. The first thing I thought of when I read that Maclean's article was that most of the things they congratulate companies for "granting" to their employees are things that employees themselves fought for through collective bargaining. Glad you brought this to our attention. People need to realize things these kinds of things, particularly at a time when governments are watering down or abolishing a union's ability to organize and operate through legislation.
Kevin - -0001-11-30 00:00