By Ben Sichel A worker approaches a union staffer to discuss a problem in the workplace. The staffer has heard about this problem before. “We’ve brought this to the labour-management committee,” they sigh. “We can try to bring it up again.” The worker is disappointed. Is there something else we could do? Can the workers Continue readingBuilding a caucus to rebuild union power
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Rankandfile.ca readers have voted! The people of Saskatchewan and Sudbury have delivered the prestigious honour of Scumbags of the Year to Gil Le Dressay and Robert Haché. The voting was exciting, but don’t fret if your choice lost. They’re all winners. They’re all scumbags. Once again, we’ve saved some space for dishonourable mentions: Graham Lloyd, Continue reading2021 Scumbags of the Year
By Jeremy Appel Faculty and academic service officers at Concordia University of Edmonton beared blistering cold temperatures on Jan. 4 to kick off the first-ever post-secondary strike action in Alberta outside a mansion the employer purchased while they were negotiating a new contract. The 82-member Concordia University of Edmonton Faculty Association (CUEFA) voted to go Continue readingA small university strike sets big Alberta precedent
Rankandfile.ca readers found no shortage of union-busters, profiteers and corrupt politicians to nominate for this year’s competition, so pull up your hip waders and get ready for this human sewage. We’ve narrowed the field down to 8 candidates. There are 4 public sector and 4 private sector scumbags. As usual, past Scumbags of the Year Continue readingVote for 2021’s Scumbag of the Year
It’s that time of year again… …to gather with co-workers, friends and family and share our stories of the boss class. We continue Rankandfile.ca’s annual tradition of nominating and voting for Scumbag of the Year. THE AWARDS Private sector Scumbag of the Year Public sector Scumbag of the Year THE RULES In the comment section below, nominate Continue readingNominate 2021’s Scumbag of the Year!
By Doug Nesbitt Editor of Rankandfile.ca If you want a union in your workplace, it’s hard to know where to start. Talking union on the job will get you shushed by co-workers, or worse, fired my management. The fear of retaliation is real. So here’s some basic advice on how to get things started. The Continue readingCrash course: Starting a union in your workplace
By Jeremy Appel Rankandfile.ca’s Cargill correspondent The new agreement won by workers at Cargill’s High River, Alberta meatpacking plant is a significant improvement over its previous iteration and could provide a template for labour struggles in the industry, according to labour relations experts. Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 401 voted 71% in Continue readingWorkers’ gains at Cargill set stage for JBS bargaining
By Jeremy Appel Cargill correspondent for Rankandfile.ca Whether or not workers at Cargill’s High River, Alberta, plant go on strike Monday, there’s no question the past 20 months have been a long, painful journey. Jamie Welsh-Rollo has worked at Cargill since June 2018. She is a cryovac operator and serves as a liaison between the Continue readingStories from the inside: Cargill workers speak
By Jeremy Appel Cargill correspondent for Rankandfile.ca Workers at Cargill’s High River, Alberta meatpacking facility have overwhelmingly rejected the company’s latest contract offer and management has escalated tensions by serving a lockout notice. The Cargill plant was the site of the largest COVID outbreak in North America in April 2020, with 950 workers — almost Continue readingCargill prepares lockout & scabs as workers reject offer
By Jeremy Appel In 1968, The Beatles released the song Blackbird, expressing their sympathies for the civil rights movement. “You were only waiting for this moment to arrive,” sings Paul McCartney before the song’s chorus. Tom Hesse, the president of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 401, says he was reminded of this lyric Continue readingAlberta workers take on Cargill and its record profits
By James Wilt Since November 2, more than 1,200 members of the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA)—including professors, librarians, lecturers, and instructors—have been on strike following a strong 85 percent strike mandate in mid-October. This strike comes only five years after the last by UMFA in 2016. The main issue is salaries. Since 2016, Continue readingStudent Organizing 101 at the UMFA strike
By Doug Nesbitt The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) ended, October 23, 2021. The CRB is the continuation of the Canada Emergency Recovery Benefit which was first implemented in April 2020, only weeks after the COVID-19 Pandemic was declared. CERB proved a lifesaver for millions. Within four months, an estimated 8.5 million Canadians had accessed the Continue readingA farewell to CERB and the future of EI