Description: A Federal Court in Vancouver is hearing arguments concerning the hiring of more than 200 temporary Chinese workers for a mine in northeastern B.C. Source: CBC Date: 04/09/2013 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2013/04/09/bc-mine-foreign-temporary-workers-chinese-hd-mining.html Related links: RBC apologizes in foreign worker controversy Earlier update Union safety complaint The Temporary Foreign Worker Program The International Union of Operating Engineers,… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Chapter 3 – HIstory of the Canadian Union Movement
After four years, foreign workers receive settlement
Description: Latin American workers who helped build a Vancouver rapid transit line have finally received the money awarded to them in a 2008 human rights ruling. Source: Canadian Press/Globe and Mail Date: 04/02/2013 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/foreign-workers-who-helped-build-vancouvers-canada-line-win-wage-fight/article10701631/ Related links: Story from November, 2012 Story from 2008 The Construction and Specialized Workers’ Union Local 1611 SNC-Lavalin B.C. Human… Read more »
Bill C-377 is necessary, construction industry head says
Description: Bill C-377, which would force greater financial disclosure from Canadian unions, has moved to the Senate. Source: The Journal of Commerce Date: 02/18/2013 Link: http://www.journalofcommerce.com/article/id54055/–taking-another-look-at-the-controversy-around-bill-c-377 Related links: Prof. David Doorey’s Workplace Law Blog Senator Hugh Segal’s speech in the Senate Bill C-377 Russ Hiebert, MP, sponsor of Bill C-377 Earlier update Questions for discussion:… Read more »
Buzz Hargrove criticizes “amateur hour” NHL talks
Description: Former Canadian Auto Workers head Buzz Hargrove says the NHL Players’ Association shouldn’t have agreed to meet with team owners without the association’s executive director. Source: CBC Date: 12/06/2012 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Canada/ID/2313280372/ Related links: Donald Fehr speaks to the CAW Two sides still in contact after talks break off Earlier update NHL NHLPA Questions for… 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 »
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 »
Federal commissioner says union bill intrudes on privacy
Description: Federal Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart has told the Commons finance committee that a private member’s bill to increase disclosure of union finances “is a significant privacy intrusion.” Source: Canadian Labour Reporter Date: 11/08/2012 Link: http://www.labour-reporter.com/articleview/16665-union-accountability-bill-raises-serious-privacy-concerns-privacy-commissioner Related links: Pro-C-377 opinion piece from the Toronto Star Anti-C-377 opinion piece from the Toronto Star Office of the privacy… Read more »
