Even their influence with the NDP is waning:
Even [NDP leadership] candidate Peggy Nash, a former lead negotiator for the CAW, acknowledges the problems posed by public discontent.
“Unions are facing a difficult climate. There’s an unease out there, and some of the biggest challenges relate to the tremendous insecurity people are feeling in the workplace.”
This is an interesting idea, though I imagine it’s a long shot:
“We shouldn’t kid ourselves,” says CAW president Ken Lewenza. “The multinational companies we deal with can move capital from one jurisdiction to another with no impediment.”
Unions have talked about trying to catch up and become more powerful global entities through the International Trade Union Confederation, especially since the application of Canada’s foreign investment laws appears highly arbitrary.
Happolati's Miscellany 