Description: Air Canada flight attendants are unhappy after an arbitrator imposed a contract they had previously rejected. Source: The Toronto Star Date: 11/07/2011 Link: http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1082475–arbitrator-imposes-deal-that-air-canada-s-flight-attendants-rejected?bn=1 Related links: National Post story CBC story Earlier update Statement from Air Canada Statement from CUPE Questions for discussion: Summarize the steps that took place after the flight attendants rejected… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Chapter 1 – Introduction
N.S. opposition says first contract arbitration unfair
Description: A proposal to use arbitration in first contract negotiations has the Nova Scotia opposition warning of job losses. Source: Canadian Business Date: 11/02/2011 Link: http://www.canadianbusiness.com/article/55287–nova-scotia-premier-plays-down-labour-law-threat-to-jobs-and-investment Related links: CBC story Halifax Metro opinion piece Halifax Metro news story Restaurant employers group site Questions for discussion: What is first contract arbitration? Why do unions seem to… Read more »
As economy worsens, unions come under attack
Description: As unemployment rises and the economy stalls, the union movement is under attack from governments, businesses and even workers. Source: The Montreal Gazette Date: 10/20/2011 Link: http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Unions+easy+target+weak+economy/5575308/story.html Related links: Prof. Robert Hebdon National Union of Public and General Employees The Fraser Institute Robert Reich on economic inequality Questions for discussion: This article says: “…… Read more »
Court finds B.C. ‘gag law’ unconstitutional
Description: The B.C. Appeal Court has agreed with a number of unions that a B.C. government attempt to restrict third-party election advertising is unconstitutional. Source: The Vancouver Sun Date: 10/20/2011 Link: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Union+hails+ruling/5578606/story.html Related links: CBC story The Appeal Court ruling Statements from the B.C. Teachers’ Federation Statement from the B.C. Nurses’ Union The B.C. Election… Read more »
Air Canada claims bad faith bargaining
Description: Air Canada has complained to the Canadian Industrial Relations Board that the Canadian Union of Public Employees bargained in bad faith. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 10/14/2011 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/air-canada-bypasses-contract-talks-launches-seat-sale/article2201969/ Related links: CBC story Canadian Industrial Relations Board Statement from CUPE Statement from Air Canada Earlier update Questions for discussion: What did the government… Read more »
Postal workers’ union ordered to pay $50,000 damages
Description: An arbitrator has ruled the Canadian Union of Postal Workers must pay $50,000 in damages for walkouts in 2008. Source: Doorey’s Workplace Law Blog Date: 10/11/2011 Link: http://www.yorku.ca/ddoorey/lawblog/?p=3953 Related links: The arbitrator’s decision The Canadian Union of Postal Workers Canada Post Questions for discussion: Why was the union ordered to pay damages? Why was… Read more »
Air Canada flight attendants promise strike
Description: Air Canada flight attendants have rejected a tentative contract and have given strike notice. The federal government has promised back-to-work legislation. Source: The Toronto Star. Date: 10/11/2011 Link: http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1067829–air-canada-flight-attendants-seem-poised-for-at-least-short-strike Related links: Bloomberg story CBC story Earlier update on Ottawa’s use of back-to-work legislation Earlier update on the tentative agreement Statement from Air Canada Statement… Read more »
Bill would force unions to make finances public
Description: A Conservative backbench MP’s private member’s bill would force unions to open their books. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 10/02/2011 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/conservatives-set-to-table-bill-forcing-unions-to-open-books/article2188247/?from=sec368 Related links: Windsor Star story, with union reaction Opinion piece by the Fraser Institute Global News story CBC blog post Text of the bill Questions for discussion: Private members’ bills rarely… Read more »
Settlement keeps St. Lawrence Seaway open
Description: The St. Lawrence Seaway and members of the Canadian Auto Workers union have reached a tentative agreement. Source: CTV.ca Date: 10/03/2011 Link: http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20111003/st-lawrence-seaway-strike-canadian-auto-workers-111003/20111003/?hub=CalgaryHome Related links: Federal government hints it might bring in back-to-work legislation Montreal Gazette story CBC story Press release from the St. Lawrence Seaway CAW press release Earlier update on federal back-to-work… Read more »
Ottawa and the right to strike
Description: A Globe and Mail writer wonders what the threat of back-to-work legislation in the Air Canada dispute means for Canadian workers’ right to strike. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 09/20/2011 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/daily-mix/is-ottawa-putting-the-right-to-strike-at-risk/article2172887/ Related links: Labour minister promises back-to-work legislation if attendants strike Air Canada tentative agreement includes hybrid pension scheme Tentative agreement complicates… Read more »
