Description: Candidates for the leadership of the New Democratic Party are competing to line up support from unions. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 01/06/2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/topp-lands-calverts-support-as-ndp-rivals-burnish-union-credentials/article2294036/ Related links: The New Democratic Party The Canadian Labour Congress Brian Topp Thomas Mulcair Paul Dewar Peggy Nash Questions for discussion: Why are NDP leadership candidates seeking union… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Chapter 1 – Introduction
Union decline fuels income inequality
Description: Experts say the weakening of union power has increased income inequality in Canada. Source: The Huffington Post Canada Date: 12/12/2011 Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2011/12/12/canada-income-inequality-decline-unions-middle-class-jobs_n_1139136.html?ref=canada&ref=canada-business Related links: Dr. Stephanie Ross, York University Dr. Craig Riddell, University of B.C. The Canadian Auto Workers union Conference Board of Canada report on income inequality Poor not so badly off, says… Read more »
Get tough with unions, columnist urges
Description: Howard Levitt, a labour lawyer and columnist for the National Post, urges public sector employers to lock out unions until they capitulate. Source: The National Post Date: 12/07/2011 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2011/12/07/prescription-for-year-of-public-sector-unrest/ Related links: The Conference Board of Canada’s 2012 Industrial Relations Outlook City of Toronto collective agreements Toronto municipal workers’ union, Canadian Union of Public… Read more »
B.C. teachers win decision on job action
Description: The B.C. Labour Relations Board has dismissed an application by school employers to force teachers to fill out report cards, as a contract dispute continues. Source: The Victoria Times-Colonist Date: 11/30/2011 Link: http://www.timescolonist.com/business/teachers+score+battle+over+report+cards/5788212/story.html Related links: CBC story Story on talks breaking off Labour Relations Board decision (pdf) B.C. Teachers’ Federation B.C. Public School Employers’… Read more »
Zellers workers want to keep contract
Description: Unionized workers at a B.C. Zellers want American retail giant Target to honour their collective agreement when it takes over their store next year. Source: The Vancouver Sun Date: 12/02/2011 Link: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Zellers+staff+want+union+agreement+honoured/5800974/story.html Related links: Globe and Mail story Canadian Labour Reporter story Toronto Star story Zellers Target UFCW Questions for discussion: Why does the… Read more »
Expelled migrant workers sue
Description: Three migrant farm workers are suing the federal government and their former employer after allegedly being thrown out of the country without explanation. Source: Globe and Mail Date: 11/24/2011 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/migrant-workers-sue-ottawa-and-farm-for-breaching-contract-charter-rights/article2248184/ Related links: CBC story UFCW Canada press release The law firm representing the workers, Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP Tigchelaar Berry Farms Seasonal… Read more »
Brandon profs return to work
Description: Students are heading back to class after professors at Brandon University accepted a tentative agreement. Source: Winnipeg Free Press Date: 11/28/2011 Link: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/bu-students-set-for-their-return-134579833.html Related links: Manitoba government orders profs to vote on final offer Dr. David Doorey on the strike CBC story Brandon University Brandon University Faculty Association Questions for discussion: What did the… Read more »
Female Canada Post workers win in Supreme Court
Description: After a 28-year battle, female clerical workers at Canada Post have won a $150-million pay equity award. Source: The National Post Date: 11/17/2011 Link: http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/11/17/after-28-year-pay-equity-fight-female-postal-workers-awarded-150-million/ Related links: The court’s decision CBC story Toronto Star story Public Service Alliance of Canada statement Canada Post Canadian Labour Congress resources on pay equity Questions for discussion: Whom… Read more »
Speaker stops union disclosure bill
Description: The Speaker of the House of Commons has ruled that a private member’s bill that would have forced unions to disclose financial information was improperly introduced. Source: Ottawa Citizen Date: 11/05/2011 Link: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Commons+speaker+derails+bill+that+sought+more+financial+information/5661040/story.html Related links: Canadian Labour Reporter story Blog post by the law firm Heenan Blaikie The Professional Institute of the Public Service… Read more »
Law prof starts ‘bad boss’ list
Description: York University law prof David Doorey is posting what he calls the Bad Employer Sunshine List, saying Canadian employers often ignore employment standards law with impunity. Source: Doorey’s Workplace Law Blog Date: 11/08/2011 Link: http://www.yorku.ca/ddoorey/lawblog/?p=4172 Related links: The Ontario government’s list of convicted employers for August, 2011 The Ontario Employment Standards Act The Ontario Ministry… Read more »
