Teamsters Local 987 of Alberta: Union History, Issues and Impact

This report provides an overview of the Teamsters Local Union No. 987 of Alberta, a labor union representing employees across various organizations. Established in 1942, the union has significantly impacted the labor landscape in Alberta by securing agreements with numerous companies, including First Canada ULC and McKesson Canada Corporation, representing over 7000 members. The report highlights key events, such as the successful representation of Alberta taxi drivers and the resolution of the Stericycle strike, which led to improved benefits and working conditions. It further explores the union's current challenges, including educating members on their rights and government interference, and details its strategies to address these issues. The report also addresses social issues such as gender equality and advocates for labor law revisions and job stability. Finally, the report concludes with a personal observation supporting the union's work in advocating for its members.

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TeamstersLocal Labour Union No 987 of Alberta
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Introduction
This paper talks about Teamsters Labour Union No. 987 of Alberta, which is a labour
union that was formed to represent employees in Alberta. It was established in the year 1942with
its offices in Calgary and Edmonton. The union was found to be the sole bargaining agent of
workers in different organizations in Canada. The association represents employees from various
organizations through various agreements. First Canada ULC is one of the organizations
represented by this union. Besides this, the union agreed with the Party of the First Part Lined
Canada Limited (Gould, 2018). The company was duly registered and incorporated under the
laws of Alberta province as well as those of Canada. Other organizations that have agreed with
the union include Univar Canada Limited and McKesson Canada Corporation, among others.
Significant events in the life of the Union
Through the states of its growth, Teamsters Labour Union No. 987 of Alberta has made
various progresses, which has impacted the union in different ways. Since its establishment, the
union has been able to come into agreement with different organizations ton represent its
employees. These organizations recognize the union as the sole bargaining agent of the
bargaining units, which consists of the organizations' employees’. By doing so, the union has
been able to open various regional offices in Canada, where it represents numerous employees of
different organizations. The association had the option to anticipating the laborers additional
individual off days, extensive raises during the time spent their three-year contract, and another
benefits plan for the laborers. The association remained on it's and stayed together while
anticipating the laborers' privileges to their managerThrough these agreements, the organization
has been able to expand its bargaining rights with over 7000 members (Sunshine, 2018).

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Another significant progress made by Teamsters Local Union No. 987 of Alberta is the
triumphant and victorious representation of Alberta taxi drivers the association was seen as the
sole dealing operator of laborers in various associations in Canada. The affiliation speaks to
representatives from different associations through different understandings. It occurred on 1st
February, where the union was able to represent over 1400 workers in the taxi industry. The
victory was a ruling by the Alberta labor relations board (ALRB), where the union was
contesting for the validation of the applications for certification.
Teamsters Labour Union No. 987 of Alberta made another significant event in the history
of its operation by ending the Stericycle strike. Through this, the union was able to bargaining
for the workers extra personal off days, considerable raises in the process of their three-year
contract, and a new pension plan for the workers (Arthurs, 2018). The organization stood on it’s
and stuck together while bargaining for the workers' rights to their employer.
How the events impacted the union as an organization and its members
The union has made positive progress towards the representation of its members. Besides
that, there has been successfully bargaining of better salaries, pensions as well as safe working
environments. These events have led to the expansion of the union organization membership.
Besides that the events have improved the livelihood of different employees in different
organizations (Basok & López-Sala, 2016).
Important issues faced by the union currently
The union currently faces a challenge in educating its members' employees on their rights
and the benefits they should acquire from their employers. Due to its vast organization

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representation, the organization is not able to carry adequate employee pieces of training and
education services.
The other issues faced by this union are government interference. This mainly occurs
when there is need of employee representation when there is violation of his rights or benefits by
the government. In most cases, the union feels there is government interference in matters before
the labor court (Wright, Groutsis & Van Den Broek, 2017).
How the union is responding to its current issues
The union has established various strategies intending to overcome the challenges it's
facing. On matters to do with lobby government, the union to leadership always stands up for
each member of the union family (Basok & López-Sala, 2016). By doing so, the union is still
concerned about how its members are treated and compensated by providing them with a well
vibrant team. The union is aiming at conduction intensive educational services to its members
intending to create awareness of their rights and benefits. The union seeks to carry out these
services through various media platforms.
Social issues addressed by the union
Besides advocating for labor-related issues, Teamsters Local Union No. 987 of Alberta
also looks at its member social issues. The union advocates for gender equality in the different
member organization by ensuring every person is given fair treatment at his /her place of work
(Tufts & Thomas, 2017). Besides that, the union also deals with matters relating to gender
violation in the areas of work, which mainly consist of sexual abuse. In addition to that, the
association works on the revision of labor laws, poverty, and job stability, among others.

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Personal observation
Considering the considerable progress made by this union in the fight for its member's
rights and benefits, I would like to be one of its members. The union has a well-established
background with radical leaders; hence it ensures proper articulation of its member's grievances.
The union offers a sense of security to members wishing to join by providing it has a diverse
membership and a remarkable reputation.

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References
Arthurs, H. W. (2018). The hollowing out of corporate Canada? In Globalizing Institutions (pp.
29-51). Routledge.
Basok, T., & López-Sala, A. (2016). Rights and restrictions: Temporary agricultural migrants
and trade unions’ activism in Canada and Spain. Journal of International Migration and
Integration, 17(4), 1271-1287.
Gould IV, W. B. (2018). Dynamex Is Dynamite, but Epic Systems Is Its Foil-Chamber of
Commerce: The Sleeper in the Trilogy. Mo. L. Rev., 83, 989.
Sunshine, N. B. (2018). Employees as Price-Takers. Lewis & Clark L. Rev., 22, 105.
Tufts, S., & Thomas, M. (2017). The Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC): Between
Company and Populist Unionism. Labour/Le Travail, 55-79.
Wright, C. F., Groutsis, D., & Van Den Broek, D. (2017). Employer-sponsored temporary labour
migration schemes in Australia, Canada and Sweden: enhancing efficiency,
compromising fairness? Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 43(11), 1854-1872.