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Renewing Labour’s Engagement with Old Forms of Precarity: A Case Study of Unionization of Migrant Agricultural Workers in British Columbia

Resource type
Author/contributor
Title
Renewing Labour’s Engagement with Old Forms of Precarity: A Case Study of Unionization of Migrant Agricultural Workers in British Columbia
Abstract
This article examines the efforts to unionize Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) workers in British Columbia, Canada. Through an examination of three key legal cases, Greenway, Sidhu & Sons and Floralia, this article demonstrates the positive role that unionization and collective bargaining can have in improving working conditions and security for migrant agricultural workers in Canada. Specifically, through these cases, this article explores the strategies deployed by unions in organizing and collective bargaining processes to resist the problematic consequences associated with the SAWP’s circularity and system for recalling workers, and how those strategies enhance workers’ job security, rights and voice as workers. Together, these cases demonstrate the potential of labour law to shift conditions and experiences of work for migrants, and to enable workers to negotiate decent work, access rights and improve working conditions. Though focused on Canada’s SAWP, this article bears important implications for migrant agricultural workers in many other jurisdictions, and internationally.
Publication
Labour, Capital and Society/Travail, capital et société
Volume
49
Issue
1
Pages
27 pages
Date
2019
Language
English
Citation
Hastie, B. (2019). Renewing Labour’s Engagement with Old Forms of Precarity: A Case Study of Unionization of Migrant Agricultural Workers in British Columbia. Labour, Capital and Society/Travail, Capital et Société, 49(1), 27 pages. http://lcs-tcs.com/PDFs/49_1/49_1%20-%20Hastie.pdf