Description: The Alberta Federation of Labour is urging the provincial government to bring in a law that would require retail employers to have a minimum of two employees on late-night shifts. Source: Global News Date: 12/18/2015 Link: http://globalnews.ca/news/2410081/alberta-labour-group-calls-for-better-safety-for-night-workers-following-deadly-shootings/ Related links: • Edmonton Sun story • Edmonton Journal story • Alberta Federation of Labour • The… Read more »
Posts Tagged: workplace conditions
United Church clergy form union
Description: United Church ministers and other church workers are forming a union to seek better job security and combat bullying and overwork. Source: The Toronto Star Date: 01/21/2014 Link: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/01/21/united_church_of_canada_clergy_form_their_own_union.html Related links: The United Church of Canada Unifaith Unifor CBC story Windsor Star story Questions for discussion: What is “precarious work”? Can you think of… Read more »
Unions say federal budget threatens health and safety
Description: Provisions in the omnibus federal budget bill will “gut” health and safety protection for many workers, public sector unions and the Opposition claim. Source: Postmedia News Date: 10/25/2013 Link: http://o.canada.com/news/national/opposition-unions-say-watered-down-labour-code-will-endanger-canadian-workers/ Related links: Health and safety section of the Canada Labour Code The proposed amendments (see Division 5, Canada Labour Code) Commentary by law firm… Read more »
Arbitrator upholds flu shot requirement
Description: An arbitrator has ruled that members of the B.C. Health Sciences Association must get a flu shot or wear masks during flu season. Source: CBC Date: 10/24/2013 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-health-care-workers-must-wear-mask-or-have-flu-shot-1.2223888 Related links: CTV story Globe and Mail story Column from the Tyee online magazine Earlier story HSA news release Questions for discussion: Briefly summarize the… Read more »
Ottawa wants to talk sick leave, pensions with unions
Description: The federal government wants to look at “changes to the labour relations regime,” including sick leave, pensions and compensation, to help balance the budget. Source: CBC Date: 03/21/2013 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2013/03/21/ottawa-public-servant-sick-benefits.html Related links: Winnipeg Free Press editorial Federal budget Public Service Alliance of Canada media release Earlier story Questions for discussion: Describe briefly the current… Read more »
Hospital can’t ban tattoos, arbitrator rules
Description: An arbitrator has struck down an Ottawa hospital policy that forced employees to cover up tattoos and piercings. Source: The Ottawa Citizen Date: 01/18/2013 Link: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/fashion-beauty/Tattoos+piercings+Ottawa+Hospital+staff+arbitrator+rules/7839060/story.html Related links: Earlier story Arbitrator Lorne Slotnick’s decision (pdf) Prof. David Doorey’s blog The Ottawa Hospital Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 4000 Questions for discussion: Summarize the… Read more »
Union says employer failed to act on mine safety
Description: United Steelworkers Local 6500 has released a report into the deaths of two Sudbury miners and is complaining that management at the Vale mine failed to act on safety concerns. Source: CBC Date: 03/02/2012 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2012/03/02/sudbury-vale-mine-probe.html Related links: Postmedia story Earlier story Local 6500 website, with report Vale Mines Questions for discussion: What is… Read more »
Law prof starts ‘bad boss’ list
Description: York University law prof David Doorey is posting what he calls the Bad Employer Sunshine List, saying Canadian employers often ignore employment standards law with impunity. Source: Doorey’s Workplace Law Blog Date: 11/08/2011 Link: http://www.yorku.ca/ddoorey/lawblog/?p=4172 Related links: The Ontario government’s list of convicted employers for August, 2011 The Ontario Employment Standards Act The Ontario Ministry… Read more »
Workers mark national day of mourning
The Canadian labour movement observed a National Day of Mourning Apr. 28 for workers killed on the job. Source: CBC News Date: 04/28/2011 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2011/04/28/nl-mourning-workers-428.html Related Links: Statement from the Canadian Labour Congress CLC radio ad Toronto Star article Winnipeg Free Press article Hamilton Spectator article Questions for discussion: Why would the Canadian Labour Congress… Read more »
B.C. court rules teachers’ bargaining law unconstitutional
Description: The B.C. Supreme Court has ruled that the B.C. government violated teachers’ Charter rights in 2002 when it passed a law that removed clauses that included limits on class size from the B.C. Teachers’ Federation’s collective agreement. Source: The Vancouver Sun Date: 04/14/2011 Link: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Teachers+regain+right+bargain+class+size/4613527/story.html Questions for discussion: Which Charter rights did the court… Read more »
