Description: The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario is calling for a “pause” in extra-curricular activities after the Ontario government brought in a bill that freezes their wages and limits their bargaining rights. Source: The Toronto Star Date: 09/18/2012 Link: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1257158–parents-scramble-to-explain-teacher-boycotts-to-their-children Related links: Professor David Doorey discusses the legal issues in this dispute Bill 115, the… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Chapter 1 – Introduction
NHL locks out players
Description: The National Hockey League has locked out its players as its collective agreement with the NHL Players Association expires. Source: The Toronto Star Date: 09/16/2012 Link: http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/article/1257393–nhl-lockout-players-ponder-unemployment Related links: NHL NHLPA The NHL collective bargaining agreement The NHL’s “nasty” industrial relations – Toronto Star column National Post story Questions for discussion: Briefly summarize the… Read more »
B.C., Ontario governments battle public sector workers
Description: Cash-strapped governments in B.C. and Ontario have targeted public sector workers, leading to threats of job action. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 09/11/2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/bc-ontario-share-the-pain-of-public-sector-labour-strife/article4537850/ Related links: Ontario government plans wage freeze – Globe and Mail Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty Ontario Public Service Employees Union ICBC workers plan walkout – Vancouver Sun ICBC… Read more »
Ontario PCs attack public sector unions
Description: Ontario Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak has promised to take on public sector unions, accusing them of buying votes in a byelection his party lost to the New Democratic Party. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 09/07/2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/hudak-readies-to-battle-unions-after-by-election-loss/article4526251/ Related links: National Post story CBC story Toronto Sun story Ontario Public Service Employees Union… Read more »
CAW sees cause for hope in auto talks
Description: Days after threatening to strike all of the Big Three automakers at the same time, Canadian Auto Workers president Ken Lewenza says the companies seem willing to take part in “constructive dialogue.” Source: Reuters Date: 09/07/2012 Link: http://ca.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idCABRE88617C20120907?sp=true Related links: CTV story Windsor Star blog Conservative MP criticizes CAW – Windsor Star CAW Ford… Read more »
Unions and the middle class
Description: Columnist Antonia Zerbisias argues that “when union membership thrives, so does the middle class.” Source: The Toronto Star Date: 08/31/2012 Link: http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/1249944–is-decline-of-unions-leading-to-decline-of-middle-class Related links: Thomas Walkom column Vancouver Sun column Article: Some analysts see hope for renewal Globe and Mail story Questions for discussion: Summarize Antonia Zerbisias’s arguments. Do you agree? How would an… Read more »
Autoworkers vote to merge with CEP
Description: Members of the Canadian Auto Workers have voted to merge with the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada. The resulting union, if approved by CEP members in October, will represent 325,000 workers. Source: CBC Date: 08/22/2012 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/story/2012/08/22/wdr-caw-merger.html Related links: CTV story Financial Post story Canadian Auto Workers union Communications, Energy and Paperworkers… Read more »
Air Canada intervention may be “Band-Aid solution”
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 »
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 »
