NHL locks out players

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 4 - The Structure of Canadian Unions, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts.

Description: The National Hockey League has locked out its players as its collective agreement with the NHL Players Association expires.

Source: The Toronto Star

Date: 09/16/2012

Link: http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/article/1257393–nhl-lockout-players-ponder-unemployment

Related links:

Questions for discussion:

  • Briefly summarize the events leading up to this lockout.
  • What reasons do the owners give for locking out the players?
  • What are the owners proposing for a new agreement?
  • What is the players’ proposal?
  • What does this dispute have in common with other industrial disputes you are aware of? What are the differences?

B.C., Ontario governments battle public sector workers

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

Description: Cash-strapped governments in B.C. and Ontario have targeted public sector workers, leading to threats of job action.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Date: 09/11/2012

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/bc-ontario-share-the-pain-of-public-sector-labour-strife/article4537850/

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Questions for discussion:

  • What does this article say is the cause of the disputes in these two provinces?
  • What is the Ontario government’s position? What arguments does it make?
  • What is the response of the Ontario public sector employees?
  • What is the B.C. government’s position? What arguments does it make?
  • Which arguments do you feel are most persuasive?

Canada slips in competitiveness rankings?

Posted by & filed under Environment, Global Management.

Description: Canada is now ranked 14th in global competitiveness rankings; it was ranked in the top 10 in 2009. Canada received low scores on its quality of research innovation and its innovation record.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Date: September 05 2012

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/canada-slips-in-competitiveness-rankings/article4520181/

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Suggest possible actions for Canada to improve its innovation record?
  2. Despite the economic slowdown in Europe, how do European countries remain so competitive?
  3. Should we care about such rankings?
  4. Why Canadian companies are behind in offering ‘on-the-job training’?

Are there drawbacks for BCE’s buyout of Astral?

Posted by & filed under Environment, Strategy, Video Report.

Description: Rogers Communications Inc. told Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) that Bell’s $3.4 billion takeover of Astral Media Inc. will limit the competition in the market and will make it difficult for Rogers to offer programming on online devices.

Source: Business News Network

Date: September 12 2012

Video and Text Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2012/9/12/BCE-will-hoard-content-after-Astral-buy-Rogers-tells-CRTC.aspx

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Should CRTC allow this takeover to go through?
  2. Discuss the drawbacks of this takeover for other competitors, such as Rogers, Telus and Shaw?
  3. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of this takeover for consumers?

Ontario PCs attack public sector unions

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 2 - Theories of Industrial Relations, Chapter 3 - HIstory of the Canadian Union Movement.

Description: Ontario Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak has promised to take on public sector unions, accusing them of buying votes in a byelection his party lost to the New Democratic Party.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Date: 09/07/2012

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/hudak-readies-to-battle-unions-after-by-election-loss/article4526251/

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Questions for discussion:

  • What is Mr. Hudak claiming here?
  • Do you think he makes a convincing case?
  • What does your text say about unions and the political process?
  • What arguments can you think of in favour of unions supporting a particular political party? What arguments can you think of against?
  • Mr. Hudak uses the term “union bosses” in this story. What images does this term raise in your mind?

CAW sees cause for hope in auto talks

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 3 - HIstory of the Canadian Union Movement, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts.

Description: Days after threatening to strike all of the Big Three automakers at the same time, Canadian Auto Workers president Ken Lewenza says the companies seem willing to take part in “constructive dialogue.”

Source: Reuters

Date: 09/07/2012

Link: http://ca.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idCABRE88617C20120907?sp=true

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Questions for discussion:

  • What would be the impacts of a triple strike in the auto industry?
  • How does the threat of a triple strike differ from previous CAW strategy?
  • Why do you think the CAW might be taking this approach at this time?
  • What is the CAW asking for? What arguments does it use to back up its position?
  • What are the automakers asking for? What arguments do they use?
  • Which do you think are the most persuasive arguments?

Lululemon Defies Critics

Posted by & filed under Communication, Environment, Strategy, Technology.

Description: Lululemon overcame some serious setbacks to report an almost 50-per-cent jump in quarterly profit to $57.2-million, resulting in its shares soaring more than 12 per cent.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Date: September 07 2012

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/lululemon-to-continue-global-expansion-in-yoga-running-apparel/article4525921/

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Explain how Lululemon managed to overcome some of earlier setbacks?
  2. What does the following statement imply: “However, while others may try to mimic parts of our business, it is impossible to copy a personality …”?
  3. Is it OK for companies to artificially raise demand by limiting their production?

The Glass Ceiling Effect in Golf Clubs

Posted by & filed under Change, Diversity, Ethics.

Description: Private Golf clubs such as the National Golf Club of Canada continue to refuse memberships to women.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Date: August 27 2012

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/editorials/golf-clubs-should-no-longer-exclude-women/article4503636/

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Do you agree with the arguments made by proponents of male-only only golf clubs?
  2. Can you think of other institutions or clubs where it is legal to exclude people on gender?
  3. What in your view are other possible reasons for why women have been traditionally excluded from such clubs?
  4. Is it OK to have women-only golf clubs but not men-only clubs?
  5. Would you like to join such gender exclusive clubs? Why or Why not?

Why Canadian companies are holding on to so much cash?

Posted by & filed under Uncategorized.

Description: In this video, Mark Carney (Governor, Bank of Canada) is urging Canadian corporations not to hold on to excess money. At present corporations in Canada are sitting on money equivalent to 30% of Canada’s GDP.

Source: BNN

Date: August 24 2012

Link: http://watch.bnn.ca/business-day/august-2012/business-day-august-24-2012/#clip747051

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Should Canadian corporations be holding on to cash or investing to generate more jobs?
  2. Should the government intervene to force corporations?
  3. In your view what incentives do corporations have to hold on to excess cash?
  4. Is it possible that corporations are holding on to cash to seek even more subsidies from the government?

Should We Be Worried About Canada’s Banks Getting Too Big

Posted by & filed under Uncategorized.

Description: Recent announcement by Bank of Nova Scotia’s chief executive Rick Waugh to purchase the Canadian assets of ING Groep NV for $3.13-billion, raises an interesting dilemma. This will be Scotia’s biggest acquisition. It will increase its customer base by nearly 2 million. However, by acquiring assets of a bank (Amsterdam-based ING) troubled by the financial crisis, is Bank of Nova Scotia making the right decision?

Source: The Globe and Mail

Date: August 30 2012

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/are-canadas-banks-getting-too-big-to-fail/article4509517/

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Discuss whether Ottawa should allow this acquisition to go through?
  2. Is it OK for big banks to have the backing of their governments?
  3. If certain banks are too big to fail, then what checks do we have to insure that bank executives do not pursue their own goals?
  4. In you view, should tax payer’s money be used to bail out one of these large Canadian banks if they fail in future?