Union workers earn more – but the gap is declining

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 4 - The Structure of Canadian Unions.

Description: A report from the Conference Board of Canada has found that unionized workers in Canada earn more than their non-union counterparts, but the “union wage premium” has grown smaller over recent decades.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Date: 02/07/2013

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/why-union-survival-isnt-just-about-the-money/article8335831/

Related links:

Questions for discussion:

  • What is the “union wage premium”?
  • Are there other benefits to belonging to a union that this report does not mention?
  • What is “union coverage”? What has been the trend in the last 20 years?
  • What do you think this report says about the overall state of unions in Canada today?
  • If union workers make more, why are there proportionally fewer workers in unions?

Manitoba insurance workers get two-year freeze

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process.

Description: Workers at Manitoba’s public auto insurance authority have agreed to a four-year contract with a two-year wage freeze and improved benefits.

Source: Canadian Labour Reporter

Date: 02/05/2013

Link: http://www.labour-reporter.com/articleview/17223-manitoba-insurance-employees-ratify-new-agreement

Related links:

Questions for discussion:

  • What is the overall wage increase in this agreement?
  • What are the non-wage features of this agreement?
  • Given what you know, do you think this is a reasonable agreement?
  • Why or why not?
  • The union statement does not include the expression “wage freeze.” Why do you think this is?

 

Starbucks to Open 150 New Outlets in Canada

Posted by & filed under Global Management, Strategy.

Description: Subsidiary of Seattle based Starbucks Corp., Starbucks Canada plans to open 150 new outlets in Canada, and most of these will be housed in new Target Stores in Canada.           

Source: Financial Post

Date: February 8 2013

Text link:  http://business.financialpost.com/2013/02/08/starbucks-canada-to-open-150-new-outlets-in-biggest-expansion-ever/

 Questions for Discussion:

  1. Which Starbucks product has fuelled it’s grown in Canada? Why do you think it became popular in Canada?
  2. What are your views on Starbucks tie-up with Target?
  3. When the economy is still struggling, is it a good strategy for Starbucks to expand so aggressively?
  4. Will this expansion hurt Tim Hortons?

The Canadian Job Market gets off to a Bad Start

Posted by & filed under Change, Environment.

Description: In the month of January, 22,000 Canadians were laid off work. This is in contrast to how 2012 ended, when many new jobs were created.  

Source: CBC

Date: February 8 2013

Video link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2333217819/

Questions for Discussion:

  1. In your view, why is there such a dramatic reversal in the Canadian job market from 2012 to start of 2013?
  2. Do you foresee this trend to continue for the entire year?
  3. Which sector—Public or Private—is likely to lose more jobs in the future?

Faculty association strikes at St. Francis Xavier

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts.

Description: Striking faculty met for informal talks with the administration of St. Francis Xavier University, in Antigonish, N.S.

Source: CBC

Date: 02/01/2013

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2013/02/01/ns-st-fx-rally-strike.html

Related links:

Questions for discussion:

  • Browse the related links above: What salary increase is the university proposing?
  • What increase is the faculty association proposing?
  • What are the other issues in this dispute?
  • How are students responding to the strike?
  • What would you do if you were a student at St. FX?

Couche-Tard sells some stores in battle with union

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 5 - The Organizing Campaign, Chapter 6 - Establishing Union Recognition, Chapter 7 - Defining and Commencing Collective Bargaining, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process.

Description: Quebec convenience store owner Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. is selling some of its outlets to franchisees in an apparent attempt to frustrate efforts to reach collective agreements.

Source: The Financial Post

Date: 01/31/2013

Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/01/31/couche-tard-turns-to-franchisees-as-organized-labour-steps-up-efforts-to-unionize-quebec-stores/

Related links:

Questions for discussion:

  • Explain what Couche-Tard is doing with its unionized stores.
  • How would this make things more difficult for the union?
  • Review the section in your textbook on successorship rights. How do they apply here?
  • The union says Couche-Tard’s founder should share “a piece of the cake.” Do you agree? Why or why not?
  • What would you think of the company’s actions if you were a Couche-Tard employee? An investor?

BlackBerry CEO on BB10 launch

Posted by & filed under Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, New product, Organizational Change, Strategy, Technology, Video Report.

Description: BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins discusses the launch of BB10 and what it means for BlackBerry.

Source: Global BC

Date: January 30 2013

Video link:  http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2330824882/

 Questions for Discussion:

  1. Do you agree BB10 is the device that can make or break BlackBerry?
  2. Do you see BlackBerry retaining the top position in the near future?
  3. What are some the novel features of BB10 that the other brands don’t offer?
  4. In you view, will BB10 be a success? Why?

Best Buy closes several outlets in Canada

Posted by & filed under Change, Environment, Organizational Change, Technology, Video Report.

Description: Technology retailer, Best Buy announced it will close fifteen Best Buy and Future Shop locations across Canada, leaving at least 900 employees without a job.

Source: CBC

Date: January 31 2013

Video link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2331023819/

Questions for Discussion:

  1. What are some of the reasons for these closures?
  2. Do you foresee more such closures by Best Buy in future?
  3. Suggest strategies that can help Best Buy to improve their performance?
  4. In your view, which retail brands are more likely to sustain growth in the present economy?

B.C. teachers reject premier’s call for 10-year contract

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 2 - Theories of Industrial Relations, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process.

Description: The B.C. Teachers’ Federation wants no part of a government proposal that would include a 10-year collective agreement.

Source: CBC

Date: 01/24/2013

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2013/01/24/bc-teachers-plan.html

Related links:

Questions for discussion:

  • What would the teachers gain under the government proposal?
  • What would the teachers lose?
  • Ten-year collective agreements are extremely rare. Why do you think that is?
  • Who do you think would benefit the most from this proposal? Why?
  • B.C. voters go to the polls May 14 and the Clark government is well back in the opinion polls. How do you think that affects the contents of this proposal and the teachers’ response?

GM, CAW may begin talks early

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 7 - Defining and Commencing Collective Bargaining, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process.

Description: General Motors Canada has asked the Canadian Auto Workers union to begin negotiations seven months before the collective agreement at the CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ont. expires.

Source: The Windsor Star

Date: 01/21/2013

Link: http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2013/01/21/caw-may-open-talks-early-for-cami-workers/

Related links:

Questions for discussion:

  • When does the collective agreement expire?
  • Why is GM Canada asking to start negotiations early?
  • What reason does the union give for agreeing to the company’s proposal?
  • What would you say if you were a union representative?
  • Consult your text: what is pattern bargaining? How does the CAMI plant fit into that pattern?