Description: General Motors Canada has asked the Canadian Auto Workers union to begin negotiations seven months before the collective agreement at the CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ont. expires. Source: The Windsor Star Date: 01/21/2013 Link: http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2013/01/21/caw-may-open-talks-early-for-cami-workers/ Related links: Globe and Mail story Canadian Press story GM Canada CAW Earlier update Questions for discussion: When does the… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Chapter 13 – Future Issues
CAW seeks to organize Toyota workers
Description: The Canadian Auto Workers union is trying again to organize workers at Toyota plants in Ontario. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 01/09/2013 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/caw-seeks-to-recoup-lost-membership/article7066923/ Related links: Windsor Star blog post Kitchener Waterloo Record story CAW Toyota Canada Earlier update Questions for discussion: What reasons does this story give for the CAW wanting to… Read more »
Ontario government imposes contracts on teachers
Description: The Ontario government has imposed contracts on elementary and secondary school teachers, freezing pay and reducing sick days. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 01/03/2013 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/ontario-teachers-imposed-contract-ensures-continued-discord-unions-say/article6932573/ Related links: Video: Education Minister Laurel Broten announces government move Andrew Coyne opinion piece Thomas Walkom opinion piece Ontario education ministry The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario… Read more »
Michigan right-to-work vote may affect Ontario
Description: “Right-to-work” laws in Michigan could affect Ontario workers. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 12/06/2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/ontario-casts-wary-eye-on-right-to-work-legislation-in-michigan/article6067165/ Related links: Right-to-work protests CNN: Michigan Senate passes right-to-work measures. A U.S. pro-right-to-work site A Canadian anti-right-to-work opinion piece Statement from Michigan Gov. Rich Snyder Questions for discussion: What are right-to-work laws? What arguments do their proponents… Read more »
TWU to hold merger vote with Steelworkers
Description: Leaders of the Telecommunications Workers Union have voted to begin a merger process with the Steelworkers union. Source: Canadian Labour Reporter Date: 11/28/2012 Link: http://www.labour-reporter.com/articleview/16808-twu-members-to-vote-on-potential-merger-with-united-steelworkers Related links: Telecommunications Workers Union United Steelworkers Union TWU merger update A history of the USW An earlier merger between the USW and the IWA A list of mergers… Read more »
Sinclair re-elected BC Fed president
Description: Jim Sinclair was elected to a record seventh term as head of the B.C. Federation of Labour at the labour body’s convention in Vancouver. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 11/29/2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/mulcair-assails-anti-labour-policies-of-federal-tories/article5799723/ Related links: Interview with Jim Sinclair B.C. government workers union endorses Sinclair Statement from Sinclair’s challenger, Michelle Laurie Michelle Laurie’s website Earlier… Read more »
Court to hear temporary workers challenge
Description: A Federal Court judge has ruled that a case involving temporary Chinese workers at a northern B.C. mine can go ahead. Source: CTV Date: 11/22/2012 Link: http://bc.ctvnews.ca/unions-have-right-to-challenge-mine-s-temporary-foreign-worker-permits-judge-1.1050130 Related links: Union safety complaint The Temporary Foreign Worker Program The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 115 The Construction and Specialized Workers’ Union (Labourers), Local 1611… Read more »
Saskatchewan plans changes to labour laws
Description: Saskatchewan Labour Minister Don Morgan has angered unions by announcing planned labour law changes to a business audience. Source: CBC Date: 11/18/2012 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/story/2012/11/18/sk-labour-laws.html Related links: Regina Leader-Post story Global TV story Saskatchewan Federation of Labour Saskatchewan Labour Ministry North Saskatoon Business Association Questions for discussion: What is the labour minister proposing? What effect… Read more »
Temporary Chinese miners underpaid, court told
Description: A lawyer representing two unions told the Federal Court that Chinese workers brought to northern B.C. appear to make as much as $17 an hour less than Canadian workers. Source: CBC Date: 11/16/2012 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/11/16/bc-coal-miners-union-court.html Related links: Earlier CBC story Globe and Mail story Federal government to review foreign worker program Prof. David Doorey… Read more »
Electricians’ union official runs for BC Fed leadership
Description: Michelle Laurie, president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 258, is challenging incumbent president Jim Sinclair for the leadership of the B.C. Federation of Labour. Source: The Province (Vancouver) Date: 11/10/2012 Link: http://www.theprovince.com/business/Sinclair+challenged+Federation+Labour/7530828/story.html Related links: Statement from Michelle Laurie The B.C. Federation of Labour “Renew the Fed” Renew the Fed Facebook page… Read more »
