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
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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
In the latest instalment of the Work in the West interview series, Professor Charles Smith discusses the broader implications of the 2019/2020 Co-op Refinery lockout for the labour movement in Saskatchewan, including the privileging of property rights over workers’ rights, the Wagner model of industrial relations in Canada, and the use of the courts as Continue readingLocked Out: Charles Smith on the 2019-2020 Co-op Refinery lockout
In the latest instalment of the “Work in the West” podcast, former Unifor Local 594 president Kevin Bittman opens up on the 2019-2020 lockout at the Co-op Refinery in Regina. In this episode, he reflects on the implications for labour solidarity, the role of government in private-sector strikes, and the future of labour in the Continue readingLocked Out: Kevin Bittman on the 2019-2020 Co-op Refinery lockout
By Doug Nesbitt It’s a sad state of affairs when a Conservative Party leader comes across as the champion of workers and unions. Conservative Party leader Erin O’Toole has started the election by making big announcements. His plans are said to be pro-union and pro-worker. After his Labour Day 2020 address, we made the case: Continue readingCorporate O’Toole’s bait and switch scheme
In this podcast, Dr. Bruce Curran of the University of Manitoba talks about the Manitoba PC government’s 2017 wage restraint legislation, the Public Services Sustainability Act, and why it was struck down by the courts in 2020. Dr. Curran discusses what the court decision got right while offering up criticisms.
By Lisa Cameron Workplace infections have been the primary cause of COVID-19 outbreaks in hard-hit areas across Canada, yet 54 percent of Nova Scotian workers lack guaranteed access to paid sick leave; a benefit proven to help prevent the spread of illnesses and keep the public safe. In September 2020, the federal government implemented the Continue readingNova Scotia still needs paid sick days
In this latest installment of the Work in the West podcast, University of Regina’s Dr. Emily Eaton provides an overview of her research on the idea of a “just transition” in the oil & gas industry.
In this latest installment of the Work in the West interview series, Sara Birrell talks about Saskatchewan’s long-term care crisis. This includes a discussion about staff-resident relationships during COVID-19, and experiences of residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more, please check out Sara Birrell’s article “The slow crisis in Saskatchewan’s long-term care” published in Briarpatch Continue readingSaskatchewan’s long-term care crisis
In this latest episode of Work of the West, we are joined by Janice Jarvis, President of Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) Local 823 in the Salmon Arm and Revelstoke area of British Columbia. Janice discusses the state of working conditions at Canada Post during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impacts of back-to-work legislation Continue readingInterview: Working at Canada Post under Harper, Trudeau and the Pandemic