AFL wants law protecting all-night workers

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, Industrial Relations.

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 »

United Church clergy form union

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 6 - Establishing Union Recognition.

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 »

New foreign worker rules anger UFCW

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

Description: The general counsel for the United Food and Commercial Workers Canada union is calling changes to the federal government’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program a “smokescreen” and adds that one provision is “absolutely unconscionable.” Source: The Toronto Star Date: 01/03/2014 Link: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/01/03/new_regulations_to_temporary_foreign_worker_program_called_a_smokescreen.html Related links: Globe and Mail story Global TV story UFCW The Temporary Foreign… Read more »

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 »

Temporary foreign worker case opens in Federal Court

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

Description: A Federal Court in Vancouver is hearing arguments concerning the hiring of more than 200 temporary Chinese workers for a mine in northeastern B.C. Source: CBC Date: 04/09/2013 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2013/04/09/bc-mine-foreign-temporary-workers-chinese-hd-mining.html Related links: RBC apologizes in foreign worker controversy Earlier update Union safety complaint The Temporary Foreign Worker Program The International Union of Operating Engineers,… Read more »

Hospital can’t ban tattoos, arbitrator rules

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

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 »

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 »

Union says employer failed to act on mine safety

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction.

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 »

Workers mark national day of mourning

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 4 - The Structure of Canadian Unions.

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 »