Should unions organize low-wage and temporary workers?

Organizing labour.

Crowds gathered outside Tim Hortons' across Ontario this week, and they weren't there for a double-double and Timbits.

They were rallying to support Tim Hortons' workers, many of whom have lost a host of benefits and perks after minimum wage in the province increased to $14 this month.

Those protests were organized by the labour movement who undoubtedly sense this may be a perfect moment to mobilize, and unionize, low-wage fast-food workers.

The controversy over higher minimum wages has shone a spotlight on the plight of the working poor, who have little

leverage when it comes to negotiating pay and benefits.

The retail and food service sector long ago replaced the unionized manufacturing industry as Canada's biggest employer. That means there are more Canadians selling things than making them. However, the retail and food service sector have little representation by unions.

What do you think? Has the labour movement failed low-wage and temporary workers? Or do labour laws in this country make it easy for employers, such as fast food franchises, to strategically avoid unions?

Canada's labour movement is vowing to organize like never before, and fight for fairness for low-wage and temporary workers. Are collective agreements the best way for low-wage workers to improve working conditions? Or are unions trying to recruit more young service industry workers so they can beef up their declining ranks?

Our question: "Should unions organize low-wage and temporary workers?"