By Scotty Hertz It’s extremely common if you work in the trades to stumble upon a stack of random garbage created by an anonymous sub contractor. The photo above might not look like much but I took it on the morning that the Canadian government announced a plan to “ban asbestos”. If it wasn’t marked Continue readingThe Asbestos ban: Hidden in the dust
health and safety
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 Robert Devet KJIPUKTUK (HALIFAX) – The safety record of the American owner of the Donkin coal mine in Cape Breton is far from stellar. An online database search reveals that in the last four years, four underground coal mines owned and operated by coal magnate Chris Cline in Illinois were fined $6 million for Continue readingSafety record of Donkin mine operator causes concerns
By Jennifer Mathers-Piper – Activist for 18 years Dedicated progressive activists make invaluable contributions towards the betterment of society. They place the needs of others as their highest priority, making personal sacrifices to create better living conditions for everyone. There were many before us that sacrificed their lives so that we could experience the rights Continue readingBalancing self-sacrifice with self-care: Life-long labour activists share their stories
On December 2, 2015, Dr. Sean Tucker delivered a lecture at the University of Regina on the Co-Op Refinery Complex’s (CRC) health and safety record. In the last decade, two workers have died and dozens more have been injured as a result of unsafe working conditions at the CRC. Is this just a reality of Continue readingSafety at the Co-Op Refinery Complex
By Paul Dechene Sean Tucker has a lot to say about Regina’s explodey refinery. It’s been called “The People’s Refinery”: a made-in-Saskatchewan facility, co-operatively owned response to the international Goliaths of the oil industry. Its proper name is the Co-op Refinery Complex.¹ But, you may know it as that massive industrial plant in the city’s Continue readingIt’s Time To Talk: Reflections on the Co-op refinery explosions in Saskatchewan
By Karl Flecker Daniel is suffering from a repetitive strain injury. Working at Costco, stocking shelves, moving large boxes of everything he never eats, he jokes, is not what he planned to do with his European based training in logistics management. New to Canada, he realized a survival job was likely necessary until his credentials Continue readingNew country, new job – new risks
OFL to launch “Dump Harper” campaign | Stephen Harper has worst economic record of any Prime Minister | Unifor and the NDP at odds over NAFTA | Miniature gardens sprout up where community mail boxes are planned in London | Ottawa cleaners reach tentative deal | Staff cuts affecting food safety | Claims of BC Continue readingR&F Labour News Update – August 3 2015
My endless battle for workplace safety “It has been a long four years and even though we now have a lawyer, not much has happened, which is very frustrating,” reads a recent email from a former co-worker. Almost a decade later, specific workers are still being harassed in my seriously toxic former workplace. What happened Continue readingForced out by a broken system
On June 1, hundreds rallied at Queen’s Park in Toronto for justice for injured workers. The target of the protest was a Workplace Safety and Insurance Board failing to support injured workers and actively working against some of the most in need, including migrant workers. The WSIB administration was also targeted for their massive compensation Continue readingWeekend Video: Justice for Injured Workers
On February 25, 2015, Bill S-221 became law after unanimous all-party support in the House of Commons. The bill is designed to allow judges to issue stronger sentences when transit operators are assaulted. The new law covers drivers of public and school buses, trains, subways, streetcars, taxis and ferries. At least two thousand assaults against Continue readingWeekend Video: Ending violence against transit workers
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