Description: Jim Sinclair was elected to a record seventh term as head of the B.C. Federation of Labour at the labour body’s convention in Vancouver. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 11/29/2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/mulcair-assails-anti-labour-policies-of-federal-tories/article5799723/ Related links: Interview with Jim Sinclair B.C. government workers union endorses Sinclair Statement from Sinclair’s challenger, Michelle Laurie Michelle Laurie’s website Earlier… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Chapter 1 – Introduction
Court to hear temporary workers challenge
Description: A Federal Court judge has ruled that a case involving temporary Chinese workers at a northern B.C. mine can go ahead. Source: CTV Date: 11/22/2012 Link: http://bc.ctvnews.ca/unions-have-right-to-challenge-mine-s-temporary-foreign-worker-permits-judge-1.1050130 Related links: Union safety complaint The Temporary Foreign Worker Program The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 115 The Construction and Specialized Workers’ Union (Labourers), Local 1611… Read more »
Saskatchewan plans changes to labour laws
Description: Saskatchewan Labour Minister Don Morgan has angered unions by announcing planned labour law changes to a business audience. Source: CBC Date: 11/18/2012 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/story/2012/11/18/sk-labour-laws.html Related links: Regina Leader-Post story Global TV story Saskatchewan Federation of Labour Saskatchewan Labour Ministry North Saskatoon Business Association Questions for discussion: What is the labour minister proposing? What effect… Read more »
York Region elementary teachers poised for job action
Description: Elementary school teachers in Ontario’s York Region appear ready to take job action. Source: CBC Date: 11/18/2012 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/11/18/toronto-york-region-elementary-teachers-strike-action.html Related links: Globe and Mail story Toronto Star story The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario York Region District School Board The Putting Students First Act Questions for discussion: What is an “escalating withdrawal of administrative… Read more »
Temporary Chinese miners underpaid, court told
Description: A lawyer representing two unions told the Federal Court that Chinese workers brought to northern B.C. appear to make as much as $17 an hour less than Canadian workers. Source: CBC Date: 11/16/2012 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/11/16/bc-coal-miners-union-court.html Related links: Earlier CBC story Globe and Mail story Federal government to review foreign worker program Prof. David Doorey… Read more »
Federal commissioner says union bill intrudes on privacy
Description: Federal Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart has told the Commons finance committee that a private member’s bill to increase disclosure of union finances “is a significant privacy intrusion.” Source: Canadian Labour Reporter Date: 11/08/2012 Link: http://www.labour-reporter.com/articleview/16665-union-accountability-bill-raises-serious-privacy-concerns-privacy-commissioner Related links: Pro-C-377 opinion piece from the Toronto Star Anti-C-377 opinion piece from the Toronto Star Office of the privacy… Read more »
Electricians’ union official runs for BC Fed leadership
Description: Michelle Laurie, president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 258, is challenging incumbent president Jim Sinclair for the leadership of the B.C. Federation of Labour. Source: The Province (Vancouver) Date: 11/10/2012 Link: http://www.theprovince.com/business/Sinclair+challenged+Federation+Labour/7530828/story.html Related links: Statement from Michelle Laurie The B.C. Federation of Labour “Renew the Fed” Renew the Fed Facebook page… Read more »
Two-day strike ends at Whitby auto parts plant
Description: Production has resumed at General Motors’ Oshawa, Ont. assembly plant after a two-day strike by Canadian Auto Workers members at a plant that makes car seats. Source Reuters Canada Date: 10/20/2012 Link: http://ca.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idCABRE89T14020121030 Related links: Earlier Globe and Mail story Lear Corp. GM Canada plants Canadian Auto Workers union announcement Questions for discussion: What… Read more »
Protesters picket Raitt
Description: A group of about 20 federal government workers protested government job cuts at an appearance in Cape Breton by Labour Minister Lisa Raitt. Source: CBC Date: 10/29/2012 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2012/10/29/ns-raitt-protest.html Related links: Cape Breton Post story Earlier story Canada Post to close N.S. undeliverable mail office Canada Employment and Immigration Union Glace Bay Service Canada… Read more »
Raitt steps into airport security dispute
Description: Federal Labour Minister Lisa Raitt has intervened in a dispute involving Atlantic Canada airport security screeners, but the union says the move is “premature.” Source: The Canadian Press Date: 10/27/2012 Link: http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/Ottawa+intervention+airport+screeners+labour+dispute+premature+union/7458963/story.html Related links: CTV story Earlier story from the Globe and Mail Securitas Transport Aviation Security Ltd. United Steelworkers, District 6 Canada Industrial… Read more »
