# Difference Between Association and Labour Union?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-association-and-labour-union/164758>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 28, 2003, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-association-and-labour-union/164758 "2003-03-28T11:12:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![d12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/71c47a/32.png) [@d12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/d12)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-association-and-labour-union/164758/1 "2003-03-28T11:12:20Z")

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Top of the mornin!  
What exactly is the difference between an association and a labour union? Here in Ontario, teachers aren’t part of a union (at least in the Catholic school board) and are organized under an association. Does this title allow them to strike freely etc?

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**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-association-and-labour-union/164758/2 "2003-03-28T12:37:34Z")

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Many professional groups prefer the term “association” to “union”, but that’s not determinative of their powers. As well, in some cases a professional association may act both as the professional standards and accreditation body, and also as the bargaining agent for its membership.

The question is whether the particular association has been certified by the labour relations board as the bargaining agent for the group of employees. If so, then the association has all the rights available under the relevant labour law, including the right to strike.

No idea about the actual status of the teachers’ association you mention.