Description: This is a “precarious moment for the labour movement,” say experts and labour leaders. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 03/24/2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/the-sorry-state-of-our-unions/article2380055/singlepage/tgam.ca/politics Related links: Air Canada workers stage wildcat strike Canadian Labour Congress Canadian Union of Public Employees Sam Gindin, York University Gregor Murray, University of Montreal Pradeep Kumar, Queen’s University Questions for… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Chapter 2 – Theories of Industrial Relations
Halifax ‘Canada’s strike central’
Description: A series of industrial disputes has made Halifax “emblematic of a much larger year of labour unrest” across the country, the Globe and Mail’s Jane Taber writes. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 03/06/2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/halifax-labour-woes-a-symbol-for-a-nation/article2360939/ Related links: CTV – Dalhousie strike averted Health care workers take strike vote CBC – Tentative deal in… Read more »
Caterpillar to close locomotive plant
Description: Caterpillar Inc. has announced it will close its London, Ont. Electro-Motive locomotive plant, where workers have been locked out since the beginning of the year. Source: The Montreal Gazette Date: 02/03/2011 Link: http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Caterpillar+Electro+Motive+plant+London+close/6099000/story.html Related links: Toronto Star column Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak on the closure Globe and Mail column National Post column… Read more »
‘A moment of truth for Canadian labour’
Description: As two of Canada’s largest unions explore a merger, a confidential union report says that labour must become more relevant to Canadians. Source: The Toronto Star Date: 01/26/2012 Link: http://www.thestar.com/article/1121505–unions-must-change-quickly-to-survive-says-secret-report-by-cep-caw Related links: Canada.com story Canadian Business story CTV story The CAW The CEP Questions for discussion: Why do you think these two unions are… Read more »
Get tough with unions, columnist urges
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 »
As economy worsens, unions come under attack
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 »
Labour Day nothing to celebrate, paper argues
Description: An editorial argues that unions’ “unwillingness to put the public’s good at the forefront” means Labour Day is no longer something to be celebrated. Source: The Toronto Sun Date: 09/04/2011 Link: http://www.torontosun.com/2011/09/02/its-labour-day-by-george Related links: A business group says public sector unions should be banned A union representative responds The Canadian Federation of Independent Business… Read more »
Supreme Court restricts farm workers’ bargaining rights
Description: In a complex judgement, the Supreme Court of Canada has upheld an Ontario law that limits the bargaining rights of farm workers. The court ruled that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms gives workers the right to bargain with their employers, but that “it does not guarantee a legislated dispute resolution mechanism in the… Read more »
