Op-ed by Scotty Hertz The massive condo project getting rammed in around the corner from our house has been super quiet lately. The orange vests gathering at the morning tailgate were down to about eight workers at last count in mid May. I spoke to a worker as he was clocking off one day, just Continue readingDivision, neglect opens door to Ford’s union conquests
By Camille Colatosti and Elissa Karg It’s hard enough to confront workplace sexual harassment when it’s coming from management. But what about harassment between co-workers? It’s a more difficult issue—but one that has to be addressed if the union is worth its salt. The most important step is confronting co-worker harassment head-on, even if some argue Continue readingStopping sexual harassment in the workplace
Deborah Murray and Chantal Sundaram On January 29, at 8am, a young nurse in Quebec’s Eastern Townships, Emilie Ricard, published a Facebook photo of herself in tears. It was taken after finishing a night shift at the end of which she had to cover 70-76 patients. “I am broken by my profession, I’m ashamed of Continue readingQuebec hospital workers take on austerity
by Rick Telfer OTTAWA — Over 900 administrative, technical, and library workers at Carleton University are preparing for a fight with the university administration in response to the administration’s demand to eliminate collective agreement language that guarantees a defined benefit pension plan for workers. The workers are represented by Local 2424 of the Canadian Union Continue readingCUPE 2424 prepares pension plan fight at Carleton U
By Lydia Dobson After being fired from her serving job on February 10 of this year, Cayley Pozza took action by posting a video on social media denouncing her employers’ illegal tip-out processes. What this video revealed is one of the many ways that restaurant owners punish servers for speaking out against illegal practices. On a broader scale, Continue readingHow bosses mess with servers’ tips
By Bob Barnetson Over time, Canada has seen a large increase in the number of temporary migrant workers. In 1996, there were ~53,000 temporary workers in Canada. This number increased to ~310,000 in 2015 (green line). There are several program streams under which temporary workers can come to Canada. Broadly speaking, these fall into two Continue readingHow temporary are temporary workers?
The Skin We’re In marks a distinctly Canadian contribution to the “Black Lives Matter” movement which originated in the US, but which describes a set of systemic injustices and disadvantages faced by all black people living in white-dominated societies. Cole asserts that anti-black racism is so all-encompassing in Canada that black people and their allies, Continue readingWeekend Video: The Skin We’re In
By Evan Johnston Hull Hospital workers protest staff shortages We begin this week in Gatineau, Québec, where workers at Hull Hospital held a courageous sit-in to protest the increased workload and hours as a result of ongoing staff shortages. “Attendants, maintenance workers, administrators and food service staff took part in the sit-in to get their Continue readingWeekly Labour Briefing – Feb 23, 2018
By Scott Price The Winnipeg General strike of 1919 was a landmark event in North American Working Class history. In May and June of that year some 35,000 workers ceased work for six weeks provoked by inequalities of industrial capitalism, the authoritarianism of their workplaces, the brutal experiences of the First World War, rising prices Continue reading1919 Winnipeg General Strike centenary conference
By Roy J. Adams In his speech to the NDP convention, Jagmeet Singh promised a number of initiatives to deal with growing inequality: close tax loopholes, jack up the corporate tax rate and institute a national pharmacare program. All well and good but all of that has been promised before and has not yet managed Continue readingWhy the NDP should be stumping for unions and collective bargaining
By Jean-Claude Basque It is time for New Brunswick to increase its minimum wage. And contrary to the view of opponents, there are many convincing arguments for adopting this policy change. Consider that for the past 15 years, the number of workers at the minimum wage has fluctuated between six and ten per cent of Continue readingIt’s time for a higher N.B. minimum wage
By Andrea Heans I am angry! I am outraged! But mostly, I feel cheated for myself and for my students; because we are being robbed of a sound educational system. A system in which students can thrive, achieve, dream and believe in themselves with the guidance and support of teachers, principals, parents, educational assistants and Continue readingHow government let my students down