Get tough with unions, columnist urges

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 2 - Theories of Industrial Relations, Chapter 3 - HIstory of the Canadian Union Movement, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts.

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 »

Zellers workers want to keep contract

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 12 - Changes to the Union or the Employer, Chapter 13 - Future Issues.

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

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues.

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

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts.

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

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues.

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

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 4 - The Structure of Canadian Unions.

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

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues.

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 »

Air Canada union angry at arbitrator’s decision

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 10 - Third-Party Intervention, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts.

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 »

N.S. opposition says first contract arbitration unfair

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 10 - Third-Party Intervention, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process.

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

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 2 - Theories of Industrial Relations, Chapter 3 - HIstory of the Canadian Union Movement.

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 »