By Doug Nesbitt and Scott Price While organized labour has loudly pronounced the triumph of anti-scab legislation in federal parliament, Manitoba’s recently-elected New Democratic government has introduced two major labour law reforms that have largely flown under the radar, even in Manitoba. Automatic card check certification and anti-scab reforms are now in second reading in Continue readingLabour at the Bat: Manitoba’s new labour reforms
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By Doug Nesbitt Slavery was legally abolished in most of the British Empire and what is now Canada on August 1, 1834, although exemptions were made for the British East India Company until 1838. Emancipation Day, August 1, has been celebrated among black communities in Canada since the 19th century. Emancipation Day was officially recognized Continue readingAugust 1 is Emancipation Day in Canada
By Doug Nesbitt “We have to be fast like a robot. So we say we’re not robots,” says a former Amazon worker, Ibrahim Al Sahary, ahead of Amazon’s big discount “Prime Day” scheduled July 16 and 17. Amazon Prime Day and other Amazon sale periods are notorious among Amazon warehouse workers for speed-ups, cancelled breaks, Continue readingBeyond the Beachhead: Unionizing Amazon in Canada
“Under capitalism the working class has but two courses to follow: crawl or fight” – JB McLachlan By Doug Nesbitt Today is Davis Day in Nova Scotia. William Davis was a coal miner shot and killed June 11 by company police during the 1925 Cape Breton coal miners’ strike. The miners were fighting against a Continue readingThe Origins of Davis Day, June 11
Standing room only at book launch in Regina This past April, people gathered in Regina to mark the launch of a new book, Unjust Transition, about the 2019-2020 Co-op Refinery lockout in Regina. The Regina Brewing Taphouse was packed with standing room only. Books were sold out before speakers even started. A panel of oil Continue reading“Unjust Transition” tells story of Co-op Refinery lockout
By Anthony Marco, OSSTF member Here’s why I will be voting AGAINST the upcoming OSSTF proposal to use arbitration as a tactic to prompt more effective bargaining with Ford’s Conservatives. I will be voting against the proposal even though I acknowledge that THIS TIME it could likely result in a better wage deal for OSSTF Continue readingArbitration tactic a mistake, says OSSTF member
In the early hours of July 6, 2013, a parked Montreal Maine & Atlantic Railway train’s brakes failed. Crewed by a single person, the train was carrying oil cars and derailed in the Quebec town of Lac-Mégantic. The resulting explosion killed 47 people and the downtown was completely destroyed. Three railway workers were dragged through Continue readingRemember Lac-Mégantic!
By Anna Luxemburg Seasonal, part-time, full-time – titles that seemingly distinguish different categories of workers in Amazon’s warehouses in Montreal. However, delve deeper and you’ll find that these labels, particularly the ‘seasonal’ one, often serve as a smokescreen to mask an exploitative labour system. As a ‘white badge’ or seasonal worker at Amazon, I’ve witnessed Continue readingInside Amazon’s two-tier system at a Montreal warehouse
By Andrew Stevens Sunny ways are back in Saskatchewan. Manufacturing sales are up, exports are growing, oil production and mineral sales have increased,[1] and the provincial government raked in a $1.2 billion surplus.[2] We’re even seeing the population rebound after some years of stagnation. But what does this mean for the average worker? Well that Continue readingAn economic snapshot of Saskatchewan (from labour’s standpoint)
By Deanna Allain Member of the Union of Taxation Employees Local 00014 (PSAC) As a young worker new to the workforce, I never imagined I would be lucky enough to be a union member, and I certainly never expected to experience a strike firsthand, let alone a general strike, 155,000-members strong. I don’t take that Continue reading“Back to the table” says PSAC member
By Bob Barnetson An unfair labour practice complaint, alleging Christmas cards sent by a union to the employer’s bargaining team amounted to “Mafia-esque” intimidation, provides insight into the unexpected impact that Alberta’s restrictive picketing laws may have on union pressure tactics during bargaining. Alberta’s picketing laws In 2019, the United Conservative Party (UCP) formed government Continue readingXmas card “intimidation” and Alberta’s anti-picketing laws
Former employees blow the whistle on workplace sexism and non-compliance By Lisa Cameron on behalf of the Halifax Workers’ Action Centre Recently, Cyclesmith’s tires have been pumped. Celebrated for its living wage policy, the Halifax-based bicycle shop has garnered positive media attention and was named Business of the Year by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. Continue readingTime for Cyclesmith to shift gears