Description: United Church ministers and other church workers are forming a union to seek better job security and combat bullying and overwork. Source: The Toronto Star Date: 01/21/2014 Link: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/01/21/united_church_of_canada_clergy_form_their_own_union.html Related links: The United Church of Canada Unifaith Unifor CBC story Windsor Star story Questions for discussion: What is “precarious work”? Can you think of… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Chapter 1 – Introduction
New foreign worker rules anger UFCW
Description: The general counsel for the United Food and Commercial Workers Canada union is calling changes to the federal government’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program a “smokescreen” and adds that one provision is “absolutely unconscionable.” Source: The Toronto Star Date: 01/03/2014 Link: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/01/03/new_regulations_to_temporary_foreign_worker_program_called_a_smokescreen.html Related links: Globe and Mail story Global TV story UFCW The Temporary Foreign… Read more »
Unifor seeks to unionize Toyota Canada
Description: Organizing Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. in 2014 is a key priority for Unifor, Canada’s largest private sector union. Source: Financial Post Date: 12/18/2013 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/12/18/toyota-canada-union-vote/ Related links: Globe and Mail story Windsor Star blog Canadian auto plants have cost advantage Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. Unifor Previous update Questions for discussion: Why… Read more »
Canada Post seeks pension concessions
Description: The CEO of Canada Post says the corporation’s $17-billion pension plan is badly underfunded and workers will need to help make the plan sustainable. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 12/16/2013 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/canada-post-to-push-for-worker-concessions-on-pensions/article15987182/ Related links: Calgary Herald story One economist’s view A Q&A with CEO Deepak Chopra Canada Post Canadian Union of Postal Workers… Read more »
Ontario Liberals, NDP attack ‘right-to-work’ promise
Description: Ontario Liberals and New Democrats are hitting back at a Conservative pledge to make the province a “right-to-work” jurisdiction. Source: Canadian Labour Reporter Date: 11/29/2013 Link: http://www.labour-reporter.com/articleview/19565-ontario-right-to-work-legislation-would-kill-jobs-lower-wages-liberals Related links: Tim Hudak promises “right-to-work” Tories say “right-to-work” creates manufacturing jobs A U.S. organization that favours “right-to-work” The AFL-CIO’s view on “right-to-work” Questions for discussion: What… Read more »
Supreme Court says union can tape on picket line
Description: The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled an Alberta law that prohibits unions from videotaping people crossing a picket line violates free speech provisions of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 11/15/2013 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/supreme-court-gives-alberta-union-a-win-in-picket-line-privacy-case/article15456686/ Related links: CTV story Lexology summary of decision SCC decision The Alberta Personal Information… Read more »
BC forest union leader dies
Description: Jack Munro, the legendary former IWA Canada official, has died at age 82. Source: The Vancouver Sun Date: 11/15/2013 Link: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/forest+labour+icon+Jack+Munro+dies/9171250/story.html Related links: Vancouver Sun column CBC story The IWA-Steelworkers merger CBC story about the merger The B.C. Solidarity movement Questions for discussion: Why was Jack Munro a significant person in Canadian history? What… Read more »
Unions say federal budget threatens health and safety
Description: Provisions in the omnibus federal budget bill will “gut” health and safety protection for many workers, public sector unions and the Opposition claim. Source: Postmedia News Date: 10/25/2013 Link: http://o.canada.com/news/national/opposition-unions-say-watered-down-labour-code-will-endanger-canadian-workers/ Related links: Health and safety section of the Canada Labour Code The proposed amendments (see Division 5, Canada Labour Code) Commentary by law firm… Read more »
Arbitrator upholds flu shot requirement
Description: An arbitrator has ruled that members of the B.C. Health Sciences Association must get a flu shot or wear masks during flu season. Source: CBC Date: 10/24/2013 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-health-care-workers-must-wear-mask-or-have-flu-shot-1.2223888 Related links: CTV story Globe and Mail story Column from the Tyee online magazine Earlier story HSA news release Questions for discussion: Briefly summarize the… Read more »
Federal government seeks concessions from unions
Description: The federal government has promised in its throne speech to cut union jobs and roll back sick leave provisions. Source: The Ottawa Citizen Date: 10/17/2013 Link: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/Government+vows+broad+changes+public+service+throne+speech/9045182/story.html Related links: Globe and Mail story Throne speech Public Service Labour Relations Act The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada The Public Service Alliance of… Read more »
