[audio:https://www.rankandfile.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/RFR_Sept5_1730.mp3|titles=September 5 2012 episode] Click here to download PSAC 901 President, Doug Nesbitt, and PSAC 901 Chief Steward, Jonathan Rose, talk about the state of the Canadian labour movement and trade union activity in the year ahead.
[audio:https://www.rankandfile.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/RFR_Aug22_1730.mp3|titles=August 22 2012 episode] Click here to download We spend the half-hour in discussion with Roger Annis, a former aerospace workers and member of the International Association of Machinists, on a variety of subjects ranging from the CAW’s recent aerospace policy paper, to the proposed CAW-CEP merger, to recent development at Air Canada, to the Continue readingAugust 22 episode
The Canadian Autoworkers 1st Constitutional and Bargaining Convention being held in Toronto from August 20-24 is being webcast live at www.caw2012.ca. Rank and File Radio will be playing segments of some of these speeches on this week’s show. The webcast schedule includes the following speeches: Ken Lewenza, president, Canadian Autoworkers Monday, 10am EST Paul Moist, Continue readingWatch the CAW convention live
Court rules Harper’s wage restraint constitutional | UVic support staff | New Brunswick lobster dispute | Edmonton taxi strike | Machinists oppose Lufthansa contract | UAW colludes against Teamsters | Ontario teachers | CAW and the Big Three
[audio:https://www.rankandfile.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/RFR_Aug15_1730.mp3|titles=August 15 2012 episode] Click here to download Following our weekly labour news update, we play an excerpt of the “Rethinking the Politics of Labour in Canada” book launch in Toronto on June 17, 2012. The book is a collection of essays edited by Stephanie Ross and Larry Savage. The excerpt is from the excellent Continue readingAugust 15 episode
On August 2, 2012, Pete Pinlac (Jose Eleuterio Pinlac) was able to stop in Vancouver on route to a conference in Toronto and spoke on trade union organizing in Philippines, especially how it relates to MAKABAYAN’s strategies in the broader class struggle, and the need for internationalism. Pete is the chair of the KPD, a Continue readingInternational Workers Solidarity – Vancouver & the Philippines
[audio:https://www.rankandfile.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/RFR_Aug8_1730.mp3|titles=August 8 2012 episode] Click here to download Following our weekly labour news update, we play a talk delivered by Dan Coffman, president of ILWU local 21 in Longview, Washington, about the lengthy and defiant struggle of longshore workers against attempts to introduce non-union work at the port. The talk was delivered in Chicago on Continue readingAugust 8 episode
Ontario teachers dispute | Verizon workers set for strike | Queen’s University staff vote on agreement | Nissan organizing, UAW | VIA Rail protest, Halifax | NB lobster protest | Labour law reform “consultation”, SK | Edmonton nurses strike
CEP-CAW merger talks | CAW and the Big Three | Alberta government & labour statistics | British workers and the Olympics | Air Canada | Peterborough Baskin-Robbins | Locked-out ConEd workers
[audio:https://www.rankandfile.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/RFR_Aug1_1730.mp3|titles=August 1 2012 episode] Click here to download Following our weekly labour news update, RFR interviews Kendra Coulter, a professor of labour studies at Brock University, who is researching retail work and retail workers’ political action. She recently launched the website Revolutionizing Retail to encourage discussion about strategies for making retail jobs into better jobs Continue readingAugust 1 episode
Coming up on this week’s show, Rank and File Radio interviews Kendra Coulter on the growing retail sector in Canada and the struggle of retail workers for rights and labour representation. We also discuss the recent Target takeover of 220+ Zellers stores and the closure by the Hudson’s Bay Company of their remaining 64 Zellers Continue readingRevolutionizing Retail
[audio:https://www.rankandfile.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/RFR_July25_1730.mp3|titles=July 25 2012 episode] Click here to download Following our weekly labour news update, we discuss the labour reforms being brought forward in Saskatchewan by Premier Brad Wall’s government that has been in power since 2007. We also examine the legal challenges confronting the government’s reforms as well as its similarities and differences with the Continue readingJuly 25 episode