Description: The union representing workers at General Motors’ Oshawa assembly plant on Friday called on Canadians to boycott any of the automaker’s vehicles manufactured in Mexico. Source: CBC.ca Date: Jan 25, 2019 Link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/oshawa-unifor-gm-plant-boycott-mexico-1.4992989 Questions for discussion: Do you think this union strategy will have any positive results or cause GM to respond in some way?… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Chapter 7 – Defining and Commencing Collective Bargaining
Lockout at one of Canada’s largest smelters drags into 2nd year, with no end in sight
Description: With pickets outside Alcoa’s aluminium plant in Bécancour, Que., output has been reduced to trickle Source: CBC.ca – video report Date: Jan 11, 2019 Link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/lockout-at-one-of-canada-s-largest-smelters-drags-into-2nd-year-with-no-end-in-sight-1.4973943 Questions for discussion: What does the report have to say about the history of this labour dispute? What would you advise the parties involved in order to settle… Read more »
Wrongful dismissal payouts compensate strictly for economic loss for period of time
Description: Cheeky employers may offer less-desirable working notice as negotiating tool to reduce severance package: Howard Levitt Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Nov 20, 2018 Link: https://business.financialpost.com/executive/wrongful-dismissal-payouts-compensate-strictly-for-economic-loss-for-period-of-time Questions for discussion: What does the article say about how managers should handle dismissal of employees? What does the article say about managerial relations with employees during conflict periods related… Read more »
Union defends video identifying ‘scabs’ at D-J Composites after workers report threats
Description: Video posted on Facebook, Twitter by Unifor Canada draws critical reaction Source: CBC.ca – video report Date: Sep 09, 2018 Link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/unifor-defends-video-identifying-scabs-at-dj-composites-1.4816496 Questions for discussion: Do you think posting this video is acceptable union activity to counterbalance the work being done by scabs? What are the ethical issues involved? Do you think this publicity… Read more »
Chinese-Owned Factory in Ohio Fights Off Unionization Plan
Description: A Chinese glassmaker beat back a unionization bid at a plant in Ohio on Thursday, winning a key victory in an important test of the way Chinese companies handle employee relations as they increase their holdings in the United States. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Nov 09, 2017 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/09/business/union-ohio-plant-china.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fbusiness&action=click&contentCollection=business®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=10&pgtype=sectionfront Questions for discussion: What does the… Read more »
How Sears could stir ‘a lot of instability’ in holiday season
Description: Sears Canada is poised to be an agent of chaos for the retail industry this holiday shopping season, as the the prospect of deep discounts looms large over competing big box stores. While the company’s planned liquidation is sure to reverberate through the industry heading into year’s end, a pair of retail experts say… Read more »
University of Manitoba, faculty reach deal
Description: After a 20-day strike, the University of Manitoba Faculty Association and the university have agreed on a new contract. Source: The Toronto Star Date: 11/22/2016 Link: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/11/22/university-of-manitoba-strike-is-over-after-union-votes-for-deal-monday-night.html Related links: • Earlier story • Analysis by student Zach Fleisher • The University of Manitoba • The faculty association • The previous collective agreement Questions for… Read more »
Ontario government, high school teachers reach tentative agreement
Description: Ontario high school teachers have a new tentative agreement with the provincial government, while public elementary school teachers plan to increase job action. Source: The National Post Date: 08/20/2015 Link: http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/ontario-secondary-school-teachers-federation-reaches-tentative-contract-deal-with-province Related links: Toronto Star story The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association The… Read more »
Federal professional employees prepare for strike
Description: Members of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada are training for a possible strike, which would be the group’s first in almost 25 years. Source: The Ottawa Citizen Date: 02/13/2015 Link: http://www.canada.com/News/canada/Professionals+picket+line+Federal+union+training+just+case/10812773/story.html Related links: PIPSC looking for arbitration PIPSC talks on hold PIPSC PIPSC media release Treasury Board Federal collective agreements… 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 »