Description: A Saskatchewan law that imposed a sweeping ban on public sector strikes is unconstitutional, the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled. Source: CBC Date: 01/30/2015 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/essential-services-law-deemed-unconstitutional-by-supreme-court-1.2937740 Related links: Globe and Mail story The Supreme Court decision The 2008 Saskatchewan Public Service Essential Services Act The Saskatchewan Ministry of Labour The Saskatchewan Federation of… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Chapter 13 – Future Issues
Mounties can bargain, Supreme Court says
Description: The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled 6-1 that RCMP members have the right to collective bargaining. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 01/16/2015 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/supreme-court-backs-mounties-right-to-collective-bargaining/article22486356/ Related links: CBC story Earlier story SCC decision Mounted Police Association of Ontario The RCMP Federal department of justice Questions for discussion: Briefly stated, what did the court… Read more »
Air Canada, Unifor talks begin
Description: Unifor is looking to make up for past concessions as collective bargaining begins with Air Canada. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 01/04/2015 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/after-banner-fiscal-results-air-canada-set-to-begin-talks-with-unifor/article22284006/ Related links: Unifor media release Story about Air Canada pensions Air Canada settles with pilots Unifor Local 2002 Air Canada Questions for discussion: What is Unifor looking for in… Read more »
CLC launches Fairness Works campaign
Description: The Canadian labour movement is “rebranding” itself with an ad campaign. Source: Metro Date: 12/30/2014 Link: http://metronews.ca/news/toronto/1249288/a-kinder-softer-canadian-labour-movement/ Related links: The Canadian Labour Congress The Fairness Works campaign The CLC on YouTube The TAXI ad agency Earlier update Questions for discussion: Consult your text: what is the role of the Canadian Labour Congress? Have you… Read more »
Ontario can’t afford public sector increases, Wynne says
Description: Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says the province doesn’t have the money for public sector wage and benefit increases. Source: The Ottawa Sun Date: 12/27/2014 Link: http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/12/27/wynne-to-unions-no-money-for-wage-hikes Related links: CBC story Canadian Press story about Nova Scotia public sector bargaining Halifax Chronicle-Herald story The Ontario Public Service Employees Union Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario Office of… Read more »
Senate passes flawed labour relations bill
Description: The Senate has passed a bill related to public-sector union certification, even though the bill contains mistakes. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 12/16/2014 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/senators-to-vote-on-conservatives-union-bill-despite-error-in-legislation/article22102064/ Related links: Ottawa Citizen story Bill C-525 CUPE “fact sheet” on Bill C-525 Canadian LabourWatch Association Questions for discussion: What would Bill C-525 do? What do unions say… Read more »
Quebec municipal workers hold one-day strike
Description: Municipal workers in Quebec walked off the job for one day to protest provincial government plans to restructure their pensions. Source: CBC Date: 11/26/2014 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-municipal-workers-in-1-day-strike-to-protest-pension-reform-plan-1.2850168 Related links: Montreal Gazette story Earlier story Story about amendments to Bill 3 Bill 3 Questions for discussion What is the Coalition syndicale pour la libre négociation? What is… Read more »
BC Federation of Labour elects new leader
Description: Irene Lanzinger, the former head of the B.C. teachers union, has narrowly defeated Canadian Labour Congress official Amber Hockin to become the first female head of the B.C. Labour Federation. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 11/27/2014 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/new-bc-labour-head-will-try-to-find-commom-ground-with-liberals/article21822722/ Related links: Irene Lanzinger Amber Hockin The B.C. Federation of Labour CBC story Former federation… Read more »
Unions join coalition for increased minimum wage
Description: As union power wanes in the United States, Los Angeles unions representing hotel workers are joining with other activist groups to lobby for an increased minimum wage. Source: The New York Times Date: 11/22/2014 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/23/business/how-a-coalition-pushed-for-a-hotel-workers-minimum-wage.html?_r=0 Related links: LAANE Hotel Association of Los Angeles Minimum wage rates in Canada Earlier update Vancouver mayor urges… Read more »
Postal unions challenge home mail delivery decision
Description: The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is going to court to challenge Canada Post’s plans to phase out home mail delivery in urban centres. Source: CBC Date: 10/16/2014 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-post-court-challenge-launched-to-save-home-mail-delivery-1.2800697 Related links: Canadian Union of Postal Workers The CUPW “Save Canada Post” campaign Edmonton Sun story News story: Canada Post plans to phase out… Read more »
