Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Jan/67

Contributor - J.J. Opmeer

Title - A Christian Labour Union in Canada?

Topic - Labour

In one sense, that question has already been answered. There is a Christian Labour Union in Canada. Better, or worse, there is more than one. At Protestant side there are they, as far as I know: the Christian Labour Ass. of Canada, and the Christian Trade Unions of Canada. Both derive from the conviction and organization talent of members of the Christian Reformed Church in Canada. The question I meant to ask is: is there need for a Christian organization on the Canadian labour scene ? And where do we stand as a Reformed Church ?

A question mark

I feel like a small boy asking questions which his parents find difficult to answer. Generally speaking, these questions are hushed in Reformed circles. Sometimes the impression is given that the answer is so obvious that to ask the question is to reveal your ignorance. I take that risk: it seems small in comparison to the risk of not going anywhere.

Part of the unwillingness to deal head-on with the question of Christian organization seems to lie in our history, both here and in The Netherlands. In the post-war period a part of the leadership of the Netherlands Reformed Church came right out against separate Christian organization. For the first time a big question mark was put behind the need for a separate Christian school, labour union, etc. Not all, of course, who put the question mark were convinced that separate organizations were absolutely the wrong approach. But they all questioned the easy assumption that a Christian should always support Christian organizations and schools. This left many members of the Reformed Church quite confused. This confusion was exported to Canada whenever such members emigrated to that country. Others who had remained convinced of the need for separate organization became less convinced here when they found the situation to be quite different from what they were used to. As far as labour organization was concerned they were faced with all-powerful neutral unions, and no Christian labour union to speak of.

On the whole, these immigrants have felt that they did not have the choice to consider the question of unions very seriously. And why should they make a problem of it ? Didn't the mother church in The Netherlands leave the question wide open ? Moreover, little help as received in these matters from the leadership of the Reformed churches in Canada. The main task of establishing these churches, and the struggle to find their own identity in Canada left little energy for major policy decisions regarding economic and social matters.

The start of a Christian labour movement

All this was different in the Christian Reformed Church. Never bothered much with an inferiority complex, and certainly not schizophrenic regarding the matter of separate Christian organization, it went full steam ahead with the application of the "sovereignty in one's own sphere" principle to the Canadian scene. This had, among others, led to the establishment of two Christian labour organizations in Canada. The aims were to achieve the right to freedom of association for any worker, regardless of place of employment, and the establishment of a social order based on Christian principles. Fighting against tremendous odds, this movement has at least succeeded in getting publicity, not the least because of the various court cases.

In 1964 Mr. Mostert was fired from his job in Vancouver for his refusal to join the Intern. Ass'n. of Machinists. In this instance, membership of the union was a condition for employment. The legality of this position was challenged by Mr. Mostert, and the case was taken to court. A less clear-cut case, but widely publicized, was that of Mr. Hoogendoorn, of Orangeville, Ontario. Here the issue was not the right of a union to demand membership, but the forced payment of union dues. Mr. Hoogendoorn and two others refused to pay dues to the United Steelworkers of America, although the contract at the metal shop where they worked required them to do so. After much trouble they were fired. This case, too, was taken to court. Such are the birth pangs of a Christian labour movement in Canada.

Where do we stand ?

As far, the Reformed Church has been at best a spectator, at worst a critic of this development (perhaps you want to change these two around). On the whole I find our members rather apathetic regarding the labour movement. Very few seem to be enthusiastic supporters of their union. Most would agree that they need their union in order to earn a living in their trade. Not many appear to see good opportunities for being a "salting salt" in their union. These remarks do not mean that I think that from now on we should all support the Christian labour movement. But at least let us come out of our hiding place and stop ignoring the whole movement or shrug it all off with a superior smile.

I do not share all the arguments in favour of withdrawing Christians from neutral organizations. I certainly do not agree with the wholesale rejection of the N.D.P. from the side of the Christian labour movement. I find their repeated mudslinging rather ungraceful. But I have respect for those who have the conviction that they can serve our Lord best by closing their ranks. And I sympathize with those who desire the freedom to stay outside of an organization whose principles they must reject. And dare to risk the wrath of the almighty unions.

As a Reformed Church I think we should support the fight for freedom of association. And even if we do not agree with separate organization, let us not pretend that it is such a ridiculous idea, either. When and where was the decision taken in the Reformed Church that Christian organizations must be rejected hook, line and sinker?

I would plead for a clear choice in these matters: either a vigorous witness in the "neutral" unions (they are not always so neutral!) so that our members will indeed be "salting salt", or support for some form of a Christian labour movement. To be an uncritical member of a neutral union, carefully keeping your convictions out of the picture, just will not do. And whatever the choice, our members should be encouraged and guided in their thinking by the church at large. Here lies a challenge for our Christian Action committees. Let's not be afraid to wrestle with big issues.

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