Quebec mill closes after union rejects offer

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

Description: White Birch Paper Co. is shutting its Stadacona paper mill in Quebec City after union members voted to reject a contract offer.

Source: CBC

Date: 01/13/2012

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2012/01/13/white-birch-quebec.html

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Questions for discussion:

  • Why does the employer say it has to close the mill?
  • What is the union’s position?
  • Why do you think the workers overwhelmingly rejected the offer?
  • Based on what you know about this situation, how would you have voted if you were a union member?
  • What would you have done if you were an executive of the employer?

B.C. liquor store workers offer to work Sundays

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: As contract negotiations begin, the union representing B.C. government liquor store workers says the government could make millions by opening more stores on Sundays.

Source: The Vancouver Sun

Date: 01/10/2012

Link: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Union+proposes+Sunday+openings+more+liquor+stores+ahead+talks/5971560/story.html

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Questions for discussion:

  • Why do you think the union is making this proposal?
  • How do you think the public will respond to this proposal?
  • How do you think the government will respond?
  • What is a “cooperative gains” mandate?
  • What arguments can you think of in favour of and against a wage freeze for public sector workers?

Labour facing tough year

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts.

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/

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Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize Caterpillar Inc.’s actions at its London, Ont. subsidiary.
  • Why do you think the company is taking such a tough line?
  • Do you agree with the company’s actions?
  • Why or why not?
  • What do you think the next year will bring for industrial relations in Canada?

NDP leadership candidates woo unions

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

Description: Candidates for the leadership of the New Democratic Party are competing to line up support from unions.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Date: 01/06/2012

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/topp-lands-calverts-support-as-ndp-rivals-burnish-union-credentials/article2294036/

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Questions for discussion:

  • Why are NDP leadership candidates seeking union support?
  • Describe the historical relationship between the NDP and labour in Canada. (Refer to your textbook.)
  • What are the advantages of this relationship for unions?
  • What are the advantages for the NDP?
  • What are the disadvantages for both?
  • How have election spending laws affected the relationship?

Union decline fuels income inequality

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues.

Description: Experts say the weakening of union power has increased income inequality in Canada.

Source: The Huffington Post Canada

Date: 12/12/2011

Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2011/12/12/canada-income-inequality-decline-unions-middle-class-jobs_n_1139136.html?ref=canada&ref=canada-business

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Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the causes of union decline in Canada in recent years.
  • Do you think this decline was inevitable?
  • Why or why not?
  • What do you think are the consequences of income inequality?
  • Summarize Margaret Wente’s arguments. Do you agree with them?
  • Why or why not?

Get tough with unions, columnist urges

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, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts.

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/

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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?

B.C. teachers win decision on job action

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

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

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Questions for discussion:

  • What, exactly, did the employer ask the B.C. Labour Relations Board to do?
  • Why are teachers refusing to fill out report cards?
  • Why did the board dismiss the employer’s application?
  • Do you agree with the reasoning?
  • Why or why not?
  • What effect do you think this application and the decision will have on negotiations?

Zellers workers want to keep contract

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 12 - Changes to the Union or the Employer, Chapter 13 - Future Issues.

Description: Unionized workers at a B.C. Zellers want American retail giant Target to honour their collective agreement when it takes over their store next year.

Source: The Vancouver Sun

Date: 12/02/2011

Link: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Zellers+staff+want+union+agreement+honoured/5800974/story.html

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Questions for discussion:

  • Why does the union believe the contract should be honoured?
  • What is Target’s argument against honouring the contract?
  • The Globe story says Target’s “low-cost operating model … relies on competitive compensation and flexibility in scheduling shifts and assigning tasks.” What terms do you think the union would use to describe that model?
  • Review the section in your text on successorship. What principles will the B.C. Labour Relations Board use to decide this case?
  • Based on what you know, do you think the collective agreement should continue to apply?
  • Why or why not?

Asthma friendly homes

Posted by & filed under Entrepreneurship, Environment, Social Responsibility.

Merk Pharmaceuticals, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, the Asthma and Allergy foundations of America, Carpenter and Carter Oosterhouse, and HGTV are building four asthma- friendly homes catering to low income families with asthmatic patients. This project is a part of a build smart, breathe easier asthma education campaign.

Questions:

  1. Would this step of building Asthma friendly homes help control people’s asthma and improvise their living? Or is this another idea that will come up as promoting more people to pay more for expensive constructions?
  2. Should these homes be just focused on low income groups or the population as a whole?
  3. Do you suggest this campaign is effective? Suggest some more ways to add to this campaign to be used in Canada.

SOURCE: Associated Press, “Companies build Homes with Asthma-Friendly Features For Low-Income Families” Financial Post (Retrievable online http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/11/15/companies-build-homes-with-asthma-friendly-features-for-low-income-families/)

U.S. workers and investors

Posted by & filed under Environment, Social Responsibility.

Warren Buffet, 81, the third richest person in the world, mentions that shareholders of US companies are enjoying the economy, while most workers suffer due high unemployment rates and low home values. He predicts that the U.S. housing market will come back in a few years, while employment remains a problem that needs to be faced. While jobless rates have been stuck at 9% since last two years, hourly wages (considering inflation) were below 1.8% since last year.

Questions:

  1. At present does Canada follow the same pattern in terms on employment and housing industry?
  2. Does the situation in housing industry also affect the corporate world, people’s spending power and eventually profits for the firms?
  3. How should one invest in their portfolios in order to have a safe investment and to avoid adverse affects of various industries?

SOURCE: Andrew Frye, “While U.S. workers struggle, investors prospering: Buffett”, Financial Post (Retrievable online at http://business.financialpost.com/2011/11/15/while-u-s-workers-struggle-investors-prospering-buffett/)