In part two of our interview with Bob Barnetson, we talk about the state of organized labour in the province, from union organizing to political support for the New Democrats, from the Cold Lake lockout of care workers to the $15 minimum wage. Be sure to read part one of our interview here. Bob Barnetson Continue readingAlberta workers under the NDP, part two
Alberta
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 Crystal Warner CEIU Deputy Trustee BC/YT Selfie sticks were oddly missing on October 27 when senior federal government officials announced at a staff-only meeting that the Case Processing Centre (CPC) for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) would be relocated from the town of Vegreville to Edmonton, Alberta. It is a move the Minister of Continue readingTrudeau’s war on a small Alberta town
By Bob Barnetson Alberta is reviewing it workers’ compensation system for the first time in 15 years. A few weeks ago, Merit Contractors started a campaign with the basic message is that business is opposed to increased operating costs: The government’s intended direction is clear: it wants to make it easier to file claims and Continue readingEmployers nervous about Alberta WCB review
By Bob Barnetson Last week, workers represented by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) at the Points West Living (PWL) senior centre in Cold Lake were set to strike. The employer had also served lockout notice. PWL is one of the most profitable and fastest growing seniors care providers in Alberta. PWL receives public Continue readingAlberta’s NDP ices labour in Cold Lake
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
Jody Hickey, an insulator who is also a singer/songwriter. After graduating from high school at age 17, Hickey said he chose what he describes as “the Cape Breton lifestyle,” moving away and coming back. He first headed to Toronto where he worked a variety of jobs from landscaping to construction, whatever he could find. At age 29 Continue readingWeekend Video: $100 Barrel
By Dan Darrah “Those dreams of staying in Canada are now gone,” said Marco Lucinao of migrant work advocacy group Migrante Alberta. The April 1, 2015 deadline for citizenship sent scores of temporary foreign workers back to their home countries. The Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) program was instituted in 1973 as a way to alleviate Continue readingWhile the TFW program has to go, the workers deserve the right to stay
Ottawa cleaners approve strike | Protests in London against Canada Post | B.C.’s Howe Sound mill to close paper operations | Report calls for disclosure of private hospital laundry contracts in Sask. | Nunavut power workers and government have war of words | Fight for $15 hits McDicks | EI system is failing Canadians | Continue readingR&F Labour News Update – July 27 2015
by David Bush and Doug Nesbitt The NDP victory in Alberta presents a real opportunity for the labour movement and wider working class to make substantial gains. The defeat of the 44-year Tory dynasty gives energy to those fighting for social justice inside and outside the province. However, the election of a majority NDP Continue readingAlberta: NDP wins…now let’s organize!
Supreme Court on right to strike | Quebec municipal pensions | Ontario CCAC strike | Saskatoon transit | Port Metro Vancouver truckers | Paramedics’ mental health | West Van nursing home layoffs | IKEA Richmond | Federal workplace childcare | Tim Hortons A Constitutional Right to Strike Comes to Canada Professor David Doorey, Law of Continue readingR&F’s Labour News Update – February 2, 2015