On Thursday, October 24, the Alberta government released the provincial budget, which was nothing short of a brutal frontal assault on province’s public services, workers and the poor. The government outlined it would cut program spending by 2.8% over the next four years. This 2.8%, the largest cut to provincial program spending in 25 years, Continue readingKenney’s cuts
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by Emily Leedham On Rank & File Radio – Prairie Edition, Avi Lewis, Co-founder and Strategic Director of the Leap, shares the untold story of the Leap Manifesto, labour and the 2016 Federal NDP convention in Edmonton, Alberta. We also talk about the pressing need to bridge the labour and climate justice movements, and what Continue readingThe Untold Story of the Leap, Labour & the 2016 Federal NDP Convention
The New Democrats were elected in Alberta nearly two years ago. What changes have the New Democrats brought forward on the labour front and what challenges lie ahead for Albertan workers and unions? To answer these questions, Rankandfile.ca‘s Doug Nesbitt spoke with Bob Barnetson, Associate Professor of Labour Relations at Athabasca University in Alberta. In part one of this Continue readingAlberta workers under the NDP, part one
By Angella MacEwen The Alberta government has announced their timeline for getting to $15 / hour, which includes eliminating the lower minimum wage for liquor servers. The Alberta Federation of Labour has an excellent minimum wage campaign, called “15 is fair”. I provided some research support for a paper they produced on the positive economic impact Continue readingMinimum wages as economic stimulus?
By James Wilt 30 years ago this month 1,080 meatpacking workers at Edmonton’s Gainers meatpacking plant went on strike. Peter Pocklington, the infamous owner of the plant who pleaded guilty to perjury in 2010, had attempted to use the economic downturn and alleged price manipulation by the hog marketing board as an excuse to slash Continue readingRemembering the Gainers strike
An interview with Wally Ewanicke, Unifor National Representative and organizer A confidential hotline has been created to help temporary foreign workers get answers about their rights, both under the federal program and at work. “Temporary foreign workers have rights just like Canadian workers, and we intend to ensure that they are enforced across the country,” said Continue readingTemporary foreign worker rights hotline launched
This past week, 15-year-old Chris Lawrence was killed on the job at a gravel pit near Drumheller, Alberta. As the Alberta Federation of Labour points out, health and safety laws in the province remain weak and inadequate. The problem of workplace safety remains a deadly problem across the country. The federal Tories have recently rolled Continue readingWeekend Video: Can’t Take No More!