VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – On this Labour Day, our thoughts turn to the labour movement and what it has contributed to the working conditions we now take for granted.

Unions don’t get as much respect as they used to, which may have to do with the fact that a minority of us belong to unions — about 30 per cent.

Labour Relations expert John Fryer believes unions are still important.

“My own view would be that unions are probably as necessary today as they have ever been in terms of protecting employees.”

Fryer adds striking workers are especially regarded with disdain by the public.

“There’s a very low tolerance these days for industrial disputes. We seem to live in an age where people want instant gratification and if that gratification is delayed, people get very angry,” notes Fryer.

Government’s are viewed as unsympathetic too, as seen with Canada Post and Air Canada workers forced back to work during their labour disputes and with the BC government saying no to the pay raises demanded by teachers and government workers.