Healthcare Trades and Labour Congress of Canada Canadian Federation of Labour (1982) – In 1982 a group of construction unions covering approximately members united to form a new Canadian Federation of Labour. These unions had been suspended from the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) for nonpayment of per capita tax. The two bodies differed on matters of representation at CLC conventions, dual unionism and the CLC standard that Canadian officers of affiliated unions be elected by the Canadian membership. The CFL philosophy is summed up in the statement of its president, James McCambly: "We are committed to leaving politics to the politicians and to concentrating on being effective representatives of labour's interest within the political system." By 1996 CFL membership had shrunk to as some of its affiliates rejoined the CLC. In 1997 merger discussions were taking place between the two labour centrals. Christian Labour Association of Canada Seafarers International Union of Canada United States American Federation of Labor See also Company union Labor aristocracy Labor federation competition in the United States One Big Union (concept) References Bibliography Ross, Stephanie, and Larry Savage. Rethinking the Politics of Labour in Canada, Winnipeg: Fernwood Publishing, 2012. . Trade unions