New foreign worker rules anger UFCW

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

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

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 5 - The Organizing Campaign, Chapter 6 - Establishing Union Recognition.

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

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

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

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 3 - HIstory of the Canadian Union Movement, Chapter 7 - Defining and Commencing Collective Bargaining.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 »

Federal government seeks concessions from unions

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

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 »

Superstore workers hold ‘fairness day’

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

Description: The United Food and Commercial Workers union has taken out full-page newspaper ads addressed to Loblaw Executive Chairman Galen Weston Jr. on the eve of possible strikes in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Source: CBC Date: 09/28/2013 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-superstore-workers-poised-to-strike-1.1872134 Related links: Text of open letter to Galen Weston Jr. Winnipeg Free Press story Global News story… Read more »

PSAC rejects Canada Post’s final offer

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

Description: The Public Service Alliance of Canada has refused a final offer from Canada Post, saying it would create a two-tiered workplace that would “pit worker against worker.” Source: Canadian Labour Reporter Date: 09/19/2013 Link: http://www.labour-reporter.com/articleview/18869-psac-will-not-accept-canada-posts-final-offer Related links: PSAC press release Canada Post statement Collective agreement Globe and Mail story from May Questions for discussion:… Read more »