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 Related links: CTV story Windsor Star blog Conservative MP criticizes CAW – Windsor Star CAW Ford… Read more »

Autoworkers vote to merge with CEP

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.

Description: Members of the Canadian Auto Workers have voted to merge with the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada. The resulting union, if approved by CEP members in October, will represent 325,000 workers. Source: CBC Date: 08/22/2012 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/story/2012/08/22/wdr-caw-merger.html Related links: CTV story Financial Post story Canadian Auto Workers union Communications, Energy and Paperworkers… Read more »

Caterpillar to close locomotive plant

Posted by & filed under Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 2 - Theories of Industrial Relations, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts.

Description: Caterpillar Inc. has announced it will close its London, Ont. Electro-Motive locomotive plant, where workers have been locked out since the beginning of the year. Source: The Montreal Gazette Date: 02/03/2011 Link: http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Caterpillar+Electro+Motive+plant+London+close/6099000/story.html Related links: Toronto Star column Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak on the closure Globe and Mail column National Post column… Read more »

‘A moment of truth for Canadian labour’

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 12 - Changes to the Union or the Employer, 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: As two of Canada’s largest unions explore a merger, a confidential union report says that labour must become more relevant to Canadians. Source: The Toronto Star Date: 01/26/2012 Link: http://www.thestar.com/article/1121505–unions-must-change-quickly-to-survive-says-secret-report-by-cep-caw Related links: Canada.com story Canadian Business story CTV story The CAW The CEP Questions for discussion: Why do you think these two unions are… Read more »

Employers ‘have warmed to work stoppages’

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 3 - HIstory of the Canadian Union Movement, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts.

Description: Jim Stanford, an economist with the Canadian Auto Workers union, writes that employers, who once opposed work stoppages, are now eager to lock out unions. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: 01/20/2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/management-has-warmed-to-work-stoppages/article2308417/print/ Related links: Federal government strike and lockout database Major work stoppages in Canada, 2011 Conference Board of Canada expects more… Read more »

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/ Related links: Earlier Globe story Caterpillar Inc. Rio Tinto Alcan Canadian Auto Workers Questions for discussion: Summarize Caterpillar Inc.’s actions at its London, Ont. subsidiary. Why do you think the company… Read more »

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 Related links: Dr. Stephanie Ross, York University Dr. Craig Riddell, University of B.C. The Canadian Auto Workers union Conference Board of Canada report on income inequality Poor not so badly off, says… Read more »

Settlement keeps St. Lawrence Seaway open

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

Description: The St. Lawrence Seaway and members of the Canadian Auto Workers union have reached a tentative agreement. Source: CTV.ca Date: 10/03/2011 Link: http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20111003/st-lawrence-seaway-strike-canadian-auto-workers-111003/20111003/?hub=CalgaryHome Related links: Federal government hints it might bring in back-to-work legislation Montreal Gazette story CBC story Press release from the St. Lawrence Seaway CAW press release Earlier update on federal back-to-work… Read more »

Air Canada workers vote on new contract

Posted by & filed under Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 3 - HIstory of the Canadian Union Movement, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts.

Description: Striking Air Canada workers will be voting on a new contract after the federal government introduced back-to-work legislation in the Commons. Source: The Windsor Star Date: 06/20/2011 Link: http://www.windsorstar.com/business/leaders+Canada+deal/4973375/story.html Related links: Postmedia story Globe and Mail story about bargaining and pensions CBC story CAW Airline Local 2002 Earlier update Air Canada Questions for discussion:… Read more »

Air Canada workers poised to strike

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

Description: Air Canada sales and customer-serviceĀ  employees, represented by the Canadian Auto Workers Union, are threatening to strike over wages and pensions. Source: CBC Date: 06/13/2011 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/06/13/aircanada-striketalks-monday.html Related links: Globe and Mail story CTV story Air Canada CAW Airline Local 2002 Earlier update Questions for discussion: Browse the links above. As you will see,… Read more »