Description: B.C. Education Minister George Abbott says B.C. teachers and their employer are “oceans apart” and suggests the dispute won’t be “settled happily.” Source: The Victoria Times-Colonist Date: 02/10/2012 Link: http://www.timescolonist.com/business/Teachers+bosses+ocean+apart/6132362/story.html Related links: B.C. government appoints fact finder Press releases from government, B.C. Teachers’ Federation Earlier update B.C. Public School Employers’ Association B.C. Teachers’ Federation… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Chapter 9 – Strikes and Lockouts
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 »
Employers ‘have warmed to work stoppages’
Description: Jim Stanford, an economist with the Canadian Auto Workers union, writes that employers, who once opposed work stoppages, are now eager to lock out unions. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 01/20/2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/management-has-warmed-to-work-stoppages/article2308417/print/ Related links: Federal government strike and lockout database Major work stoppages in Canada, 2011 Conference Board of Canada expects more… Read more »
Labour facing tough year
Description: Employers facing tough economic conditions are increasingly taking a tough line with organized labour. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 01/07/2011 Link: http://investdb1.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/GAM.20120107.RBCOVERLABOURCLASHES0107ATL/GIStory/ Related links: Earlier Globe story Caterpillar Inc. Rio Tinto Alcan Canadian Auto Workers Questions for discussion: Summarize Caterpillar Inc.’s actions at its London, Ont. subsidiary. Why do you think the company… 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 »
B.C. teachers win decision on job action
Description: The B.C. Labour Relations Board has dismissed an application by school employers to force teachers to fill out report cards, as a contract dispute continues. Source: The Victoria Times-Colonist Date: 11/30/2011 Link: http://www.timescolonist.com/business/teachers+score+battle+over+report+cards/5788212/story.html Related links: CBC story Story on talks breaking off Labour Relations Board decision (pdf) B.C. Teachers’ Federation B.C. Public School Employers’… Read more »
Brandon profs return to work
Description: Students are heading back to class after professors at Brandon University accepted a tentative agreement. Source: Winnipeg Free Press Date: 11/28/2011 Link: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/bu-students-set-for-their-return-134579833.html Related links: Manitoba government orders profs to vote on final offer Dr. David Doorey on the strike CBC story Brandon University Brandon University Faculty Association Questions for discussion: What did the… Read more »
Air Canada union angry at arbitrator’s decision
Description: Air Canada flight attendants are unhappy after an arbitrator imposed a contract they had previously rejected. Source: The Toronto Star Date: 11/07/2011 Link: http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1082475–arbitrator-imposes-deal-that-air-canada-s-flight-attendants-rejected?bn=1 Related links: National Post story CBC story Earlier update Statement from Air Canada Statement from CUPE Questions for discussion: Summarize the steps that took place after the flight attendants rejected… Read more »
Air Canada claims bad faith bargaining
Description: Air Canada has complained to the Canadian Industrial Relations Board that the Canadian Union of Public Employees bargained in bad faith. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 10/14/2011 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/air-canada-bypasses-contract-talks-launches-seat-sale/article2201969/ Related links: CBC story Canadian Industrial Relations Board Statement from CUPE Statement from Air Canada Earlier update Questions for discussion: What did the government… Read more »
Steelworkers, U.S. Steel settle in Hamilton
Description: Workers at the U.S. Steel plant in Hamilton have ratified a tentative agreement after an 11-month lockout. Source: The Hamilton Spectator Date: 10/16/2011 Link: http://www.thespec.com/news/business/article/610128–hamilton-s-1005-votes-yes-but-nobody-liked-it Related links: Canadian Labour Reporter story CTV story U.S. Steel Canada United Steelworkers Union, Local 1005 Questions for discussion: Summarize the issues in this dispute. How does this contract… Read more »
