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 Employees local 79
• CUPE local 416
• Community centre workers’ Facebook page
• Toronto firefighters’ union
• City of Toronto

Questions for discussion:

• What do you think would happen if public sector employers followed Mr. Levitt’s advice?
• What do you think would be the public reaction?
• Do you think this approach meets the test of bargaining in good faith?
• Why or why not?
• Do you agree with Mr. Levitt’s arguments?
• Why or why not?