Description: Unionized workers at Ontario Zellers stores have ratified a three-year contract that provides increased severance pay as the company’s stores are sold to non-union retailers from the U.S. Source: CBC Date: 02/20/2012 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/02/20/toronto-ontario-zellers-workers-union.html Related links: Canadian Labour Reporter story United Food and Commercial Workers Local 175 Zellers Target Wal-Mart Canada Questions for discussion:… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Chapter 1 – Introduction
Air Canada, pilots agree to mediation
Description: Air Canada and the Air Canada Pilots Association have agreed to a six-month mediation process after the pilots voted overwhelmingly to approve strike action. Source: The Financial Post Date: 02/15/2012 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2012/02/15/air-canada-union-agree-to-extend-mediation-process/ Related links: Earlier Air Canada update CTV story Air Canada Air Canada Pilots Association Questions for discussion: Refer to your text and… Read more »
Alberta hospital workers walk off job
Description: The Alberta health authority and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees have agreed to binding arbitration after a one-day illegal walkout by hospital support staff. Source: The Edmonton Journal Date: 02/17/2012 Link: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/health/Hospital+support+workers+return+work+Thursday+evening+Calgary+after/6167433/story.html Related links: CBC story Alberta Health Services Alberta Union of Provincial Employees Questions for discussion: Why was this strike illegal? What… Read more »
Social media and collective bargaining
Description: Social media carry both risks and benefits for unionized workplaces. Source: The Calgary Herald Date: 01/28/2012 Link: http://www.calgaryherald.com/jobs/Navigating+social+media+maze/6066665/story.html Related links: Len Polsky Dan Furst Wayne Benedict Annual conference of the Alberta branch of the Canadian Bar Association 2011 Cisco Connected World Tech Report Questions for discussion: What does Wayne Benedict mean when he describes… Read more »
‘A moment of truth for Canadian labour’
Description: As two of Canada’s largest unions explore a merger, a confidential union report says that labour must become more relevant to Canadians. Source: The Toronto Star Date: 01/26/2012 Link: http://www.thestar.com/article/1121505–unions-must-change-quickly-to-survive-says-secret-report-by-cep-caw Related links: Canada.com story Canadian Business story CTV story The CAW The CEP Questions for discussion: Why do you think these two unions are… Read more »
Toronto paramedics ask to be declared essential service
Description: About 250 — some reports said 350 — Toronto paramedics held a rally asking that they be declared an essential service. Source: CBC Date: 01/24/2012 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/01/24/toronto-paramedics-protest-essential-service.html Related links: CTV story Global Toronto story Canadian Labour Reporter story Press release from the Toronto Paramedic Association The Toronto Paramedic Association City of Toronto Ontario Labour… Read more »
Employers ‘have warmed to work stoppages’
Description: Jim Stanford, an economist with the Canadian Auto Workers union, writes that employers, who once opposed work stoppages, are now eager to lock out unions. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 01/20/2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/management-has-warmed-to-work-stoppages/article2308417/print/ Related links: Federal government strike and lockout database Major work stoppages in Canada, 2011 Conference Board of Canada expects more… Read more »
Halifax transit workers reject offer
Description: Halifax transit workers have voted nearly unanimously in favour of striking if an agreement with the city cannot be reached by Feb. 2. Source: The Halifax Chronicle Herald Date: 01/23/2012 Link: http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/54722-transit-workers-vote-strike Related links: CBC story Canadian Labour Reporter story Amalgamated Transit Union Local 508 City of Halifax Metro Transit Collective agreement (pdf) Questions… Read more »
B.C. liquor store workers offer to work Sundays
Description: As contract negotiations begin, the union representing B.C. government liquor store workers says the government could make millions by opening more stores on Sundays. Source: The Vancouver Sun Date: 01/10/2012 Link: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Union+proposes+Sunday+openings+more+liquor+stores+ahead+talks/5971560/story.html Related links: B.C. government, unionized workers begin negotiations CTV story: labour expert predicts confrontation B.C. government B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union… Read more »
Labour facing tough year
Description: Employers facing tough economic conditions are increasingly taking a tough line with organized labour. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 01/07/2011 Link: http://investdb1.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/GAM.20120107.RBCOVERLABOURCLASHES0107ATL/GIStory/ Related links: Earlier Globe story Caterpillar Inc. Rio Tinto Alcan Canadian Auto Workers Questions for discussion: Summarize Caterpillar Inc.’s actions at its London, Ont. subsidiary. Why do you think the company… Read more »
