BC government seeks 10-year deal with nurses

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

Description: The B.C. government has angered regional health authorities with a proposal for a 10-year collective agreement for nurses. Source: The Vancouver Sun Date: 02/25/2013 Link: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Health+authorities+slam+government+over+talks+with+nurses/8015194/story.html Related links: Vancouver Sun column B.C. health authorities Health Employers Association of B.C B.C. Nurses’ Union Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid Earlier update Questions for discussion: Review the Related… Read more »

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: YouTube video of Premier Christy Clark’s announcement Government statement Government plan (pdf) BCTF response Earlier update Questions for discussion: What would the teachers gain under the government proposal?… Read more »

Sinclair re-elected BC Fed president

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 3 - HIstory of the Canadian Union Movement, Chapter 4 - The Structure of Canadian Unions.

Description: Jim Sinclair was elected to a record seventh term as head of the B.C. Federation of Labour at the labour body’s convention in Vancouver. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 11/29/2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/mulcair-assails-anti-labour-policies-of-federal-tories/article5799723/ Related links: Interview with Jim Sinclair B.C. government workers union endorses Sinclair Statement from Sinclair’s challenger, Michelle Laurie Michelle Laurie’s website Earlier… Read more »

Court to hear temporary workers challenge

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

Description: A Federal Court judge has ruled that a case involving temporary Chinese workers at a northern B.C. mine can go ahead. Source: CTV Date: 11/22/2012 Link: http://bc.ctvnews.ca/unions-have-right-to-challenge-mine-s-temporary-foreign-worker-permits-judge-1.1050130 Related links: Union safety complaint The Temporary Foreign Worker Program The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 115 The Construction and Specialized Workers’ Union (Labourers), Local 1611… Read more »

Temporary Chinese miners underpaid, court told

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

Description: A lawyer representing two unions told the Federal Court that Chinese workers brought to northern B.C. appear to make as much as $17 an hour less than Canadian workers. Source: CBC Date: 11/16/2012 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/11/16/bc-coal-miners-union-court.html Related links: Earlier CBC story Globe and Mail story Federal government to review foreign worker program Prof. David Doorey… Read more »

Electricians’ union official runs for BC Fed leadership

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 4 - The Structure of Canadian Unions.

Description: Michelle Laurie, president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 258, is challenging incumbent president Jim Sinclair for the leadership of the B.C. Federation of Labour. Source: The Province (Vancouver) Date: 11/10/2012 Link: http://www.theprovince.com/business/Sinclair+challenged+Federation+Labour/7530828/story.html Related links: Statement from Michelle Laurie The B.C. Federation of Labour “Renew the Fed” Renew the Fed Facebook page… Read more »

B.C. government wants 10-year contract with teachers

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

Description: B.C. Premier Christy Clark has announced she wants a 10-year collective agreement with the province’s teachers. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 10/17/2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/clark-eyes-unprecedented-10-year-deal-with-teachers/article4619197/ Related links: Globe and Mail column Bill 22, the Education Improvement Act B.C. Teachers’ Federation B.C. Ministry of Education Prof. Fiona McQuarrie discusses the announcement on CBC Radio (Oct…. Read more »

BC licensed practical nurses switch unions

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 12 - Changes to the Union or the Employer, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 4 - The Structure of Canadian Unions, Chapter 6 - Establishing Union Recognition.

Description: B.C.’s licensed practical nurses have voted to leave the Hospital Employees’ Union for the B.C. Nurses’ Union. Source: The Vancouver Sun Date: 10/05/2012 Link: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/After+bitter+battle+LPNs+join+Nurses+Union/7352263/story.html Related links: LPNCafe – A blog run by a B.C. LPN Hospital Employees’ Union B.C. Nurses’ Union Questions for discussion: What do licensed practical nurses do? What reasons does this… Read more »

BC government workers reach agreement

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

Description: The B.C. government and the B.C. Government and Service Employees Union have reached a tentative agreement that includes cancelling plans to privatize the government’s liquor wholesaler. Source: The Vancouver Sun Date: 09/28/2012 Link: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Province+BCGEU+reach+tentative+deal+with+modest+wage+hike/7315593/story.html Related links: Columnist says BCGEU agreement gives premier an opportunity to duck a scandal Earlier update BCGEU BCGEU collective agreements… Read more »

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/ Related links: Ontario government plans wage freeze – Globe and Mail Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty Ontario Public Service Employees Union ICBC workers plan walkout – Vancouver Sun ICBC… Read more »