Description: Federally regulated employers say Ottawa’s intervention in several Air Canada disputes may hurt both unions and employers in the long run. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 04/08/2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/ottawa-makes-no-apologies-for-air-canada-clampdown/article2395437/ Related links: “Lisa Raitt comes out swinging” – Maclean’s Federally Regulated Employers – Transportation and Communications Lisa Raitt Ian Lee, Carleton University International Association… Read more »
Posts By: Tom Barrett
B.C. teachers ask labour board to fire mediator
Description: The B.C. Teachers’ Federation has asked the B.C. Labour Relations Board to overturn the appointment of a mediator in their dispute with the provincial government. Source: The Victoria Times Colonist Date: 04/05/2012 Link: http://www.timescolonist.com/business/BCTF+wants+labour+board+quash+appointment+Charles+Jago+mediator/6417231/story.html Related links: B.C. Labour Relations Board Earlier update B.C. Teachers’ Federation B.C. Ministry of Education B.C. Public School Employers’ Association… Read more »
ILO rules against Ontario farm workers law
Description: The International Labour Organization has found that an Ontario law does not protect the rights of farm workers. Source: Canadian Labour Reporter Date: 03/30/2012 Link: http://www.labour-reporter.com/articleview/12694-ontario-should-change-farm-worker-laws-international-labour-organization Related links: Prof. David Doorey on the ILO ruling Earlier update Agricultural Employees Protection Act, 2002 The International Labour Organization Questions for discussion: What is the ILO? What… Read more »
Mediator in teachers dispute has no mediation experience
Description: The government-appointed mediator in the B.C. teachers dispute has no mediation experience. Source: The (Vancouver) Province Date: 03/29/2012 Link: http://www.theprovince.com/news/Academic+asked+mediate+teachers+dispute+mediation+experience/6373806/story.html Related links: B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union takes strike vote Court injunction blocks B.C. anesthetists’ job action Earlier update B.C. Public School Employers’ Association B.C. Ministry of Education B.C. Teachers’ Federation Questions for… Read more »
A crisis for organized labour
Description: This is a “precarious moment for the labour movement,” say experts and labour leaders. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 03/24/2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/the-sorry-state-of-our-unions/article2380055/singlepage/tgam.ca/politics Related links: Air Canada workers stage wildcat strike Canadian Labour Congress Canadian Union of Public Employees Sam Gindin, York University Gregor Murray, University of Montreal Pradeep Kumar, Queen’s University Questions for… Read more »
Why B.C. teachers prefer local bargaining
Description: Columnist Vaughn Palmer examines why the B.C. government opposes local bargaining for teachers. Source: The Vancouver Sun Date: 03/22/2012 Link: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/provincial+government+likely+teachers+have+whip+hand+ever+again/6341514/story.html Related links: B.C. teachers back in class B.C. teachers consider illegal strike Prof. Fiona McQuarrie discusses the teachers dispute (March 20 show: begins at 1.21) Bill 22, the Education Improvement Act B.C. Teachers’… Read more »
Air Canada pilots book off sick, airline says
Description: Air Canada claims a higher than normal number of pilots have booked off sick in the wake of back-to-work legislation and is asking the Canada Industrial Relations Board to step in. Source: CBC Date: 03/18/2012 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/03/18/air-canada-cancellations.html Related links: Earlier update Postmedia story Prof. Fiona McQuarrie discusses the Air Canada and B.C. teachers disputes… Read more »
Conciliator helps settle two N.S. disputes
Description: Nova Scotia conciliator John Greer helped settle separate disputes involving Dalhousie University professors and Halifax transit workers in the same day. Source: Globe and Mail Date: 03/12/2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/one-conciliator-helps-resolve-two-labour-disputes-gripping-nova-scotia/article2367260/ Related links: Earlier update Nova Scotia Conciliation Services Section Nova Scotia government conciliation guide Nova Scotia government “preventive mediation” programs Nova Scotia arbitrators Questions for… Read more »
Ottawa blocks Air Canada shutdown
Description: The federal government has introduced legislation that would block strikes or lockouts at Air Canada. Source: Montreal Gazette Date: 03/12/2012 Link: http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Canada+keep+flying+Tories+move+block+work+stoppage/6290406/story.html Related links: Reuters story Earlier update on pilots’ bargaining Earlier update on Ottawa and the right to strike International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 140 Air Canada Pilots Association Air… Read more »
Halifax ‘Canada’s strike central’
Description: A series of industrial disputes has made Halifax “emblematic of a much larger year of labour unrest” across the country, the Globe and Mail’s Jane Taber writes. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 03/06/2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/halifax-labour-woes-a-symbol-for-a-nation/article2360939/ Related links: CTV – Dalhousie strike averted Health care workers take strike vote CBC – Tentative deal in… Read more »
