Description: The union representing Toronto transit workers has gone to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, arguing its members should be allowed the right to strike Source: The Toronto Star Date: 10/26/2015 Link: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2015/10/26/ttc-workers-union-fights-for-a-return-of-the-right-to-strike.html Related links: CityNews story Union news release Blog post by Prof. David Doorey Toronto Transit Commission Labour Disputes Resolution Act Amalgamated… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Chapter 9 – Strikes and Lockouts
Saskatchewan moves to amend essential services law
Description: The Saskatchewan government has introduced legislation that will amend a law banning some public service strikes. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled the original legislation was unconstitutional. Source: Canadian Press Date: 10/15/2015 Link: http://www.thecanadianpress.com/english/online/OnlineFullStory.aspx?filename=DOR-MNN-CP.4501087991bc4cfc8d903066bb20d953.CPKEY2008111303&newsitemid=34953709&languageid=1 Related links: CBC story Government employees’ union news release The SCC decision The offending legislation Bill 183, The Saskatchewan Employment (Essential Services) Amendment… Read more »
Ontario elementary teachers put rotating strikes on hold
Description: The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario will be meeting again with the provincial government, pulling back from a threat of job action starting in October. Source: The Toronto Star Date: 09/29/2015 Link: http://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/education/2015/09/29/elementary-teachers-union-government-to-resume-bargaining.html Related links: National Post story Earlier update The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario The Ontario Ministry of Education School Boards Collective… Read more »
Labour Day more than barbecues
Description: The roots of Labour Day lie in Canada’s 19th century industrialization. Source: The Saskatoon StarPhoenix Date: 09/05/2015 Link: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/life/origins+labour/11343665/story.html A video from the McCord Museum: Related links: The first Labour Day Canadian Museum of History Vancouver Province: state of the unions Unions prepare to fight Conservative government Questions for discussion: What were Toronto printers… Read more »
CP Rail strike ends
Description: A brief strike at Canadian Pacific Railway has ended after federal Labour Minister Kellie Leitch vowed to bring in back-to-work legislation. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 02/16/2015 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-introduces-bill-to-end-cp-rail-strike/article23012104/ Related links: Earlier story Prof. Robert Paul Hebdon Kellie Leitch CP Rail Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Questions for discussion: Consult your text: why does this… 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 »
Saskatchewan could use notwithstanding clause, premier says
Description: Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall says his government could use the Constitution’s notwithstanding clause to pass essential services legislation. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 02/04/2015 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/sasktchewan-could-use-opt-out-clause-in-labour-ruling-premier-wall-says/article22797444/ Related links: CBC story Saskatoon Star-Phoenix story The notwithstanding clause The Charter of Rights and Freedoms The Supreme Court decision Earlier update Questions for discussion: Review the… Read more »
Supreme Court strikes down essential services law
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 »
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 »
Pensions key issue in Saskatoon transit lockout
Description: The Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board has halted the City of Saskatoon’s plans to change its transit workers’ pension plan. Source: Global News Date: 09/26/2014 Link: http://globalnews.ca/news/1585324/labour-board-to-rule-on-legality-of-saskatoon-transit-lockout/ Related links: Earlier story Story about pension plan Saskatoon Transit City news release Amalgamated Transit Union, local 615 Video from union president Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board Questions for… Read more »
