Unions say federal budget threatens health and safety

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

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 »

Federal government seeks concessions from unions

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

Description: The federal government has promised in its throne speech to cut union jobs and roll back sick leave provisions. Source: The Ottawa Citizen Date: 10/17/2013 Link: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/Government+vows+broad+changes+public+service+throne+speech/9045182/story.html Related links: Globe and Mail story Throne speech Public Service Labour Relations Act The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada The Public Service Alliance of… Read more »

PSAC rejects Canada Post’s final offer

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

Description: The Public Service Alliance of Canada has refused a final offer from Canada Post, saying it would create a two-tiered workplace that would “pit worker against worker.” Source: Canadian Labour Reporter Date: 09/19/2013 Link: http://www.labour-reporter.com/articleview/18869-psac-will-not-accept-canada-posts-final-offer Related links: PSAC press release Canada Post statement Collective agreement Globe and Mail story from May Questions for discussion:… Read more »

Ottawa wants to talk sick leave, pensions with unions

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

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 »

CBSA to appeal child-care decision

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

Description: The Canada Border Services Agency is appealing a ground-breaking decision from the Federal Court of Canada that ruled employers have an obligation to accommodate employee child-care needs. Source: Canadian Labour Reporter Date: 03/19/2013 Link: http://www.labour-reporter.com/articleview/17532-cbsa-to-appeal-federal-court-family-status-decision Related links: Lexology law blog Federal Court decision Earlier story CBSA Public Service Alliance of Canada Canadian Human Rights… Read more »

Union steps up pay equity legal battle against Canada Post

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 11 - The Grievance Arbitration Process, Chapter 13 - Future Issues.

Description: The Public Service Alliance of Canada is seeking a “charging order” against Canada Post as part of its attempt to collect on a pay equity settlement. Source: The Toronto Star Date: 02/23/2013 Link: http://www.thestar.com/business/2013/02/23/union_seeks_charging_order_against_canada_post_property_over_pay_equity_award.html Related links: Earlier news story Supreme Court of Canada judgment PSAC statement PSAC timeline of the dispute Canada Post pay… Read more »

Protesters picket Raitt

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

Description: A group of about 20 federal government workers protested government job cuts at an appearance in Cape Breton by Labour Minister Lisa Raitt. Source: CBC Date: 10/29/2012 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2012/10/29/ns-raitt-protest.html Related links: Cape Breton Post story Earlier story Canada Post to close N.S. undeliverable mail office Canada Employment and Immigration Union Glace Bay Service Canada… Read more »

Female Canada Post workers win in Supreme Court

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

Description: After a 28-year battle, female clerical workers at Canada Post have won a $150-million pay equity award. Source: The National Post Date: 11/17/2011 Link: http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/11/17/after-28-year-pay-equity-fight-female-postal-workers-awarded-150-million/ Related links: The court’s decision CBC story Toronto Star story Public Service Alliance of Canada statement Canada Post Canadian Labour Congress resources on pay equity Questions for discussion: Whom… Read more »

Illegal replacement workers at McGill: report

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

Description: A report to the Quebec government says McGill University is using illegal replacement workers in a dispute with its non-academic staff. Source: The Montreal Gazette Date: 09/24/2011 Link: http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Scabs+working+McGill+report/5451963/story.html Related links: Canadian Labour Reporter story McGill Daily story Statement from the McGill administration Press release from the Public Service Alliance of Canada in Quebec… Read more »