From a string of regressive labour law reforms at the provincial and federal levels, to factory closures and the formation of Unifor, 2013 has been eventful for workers and organized labour. Check out some of the Rankandfile.ca highlights from the past year. Be sure to follow our upcoming series on labour and the environment, a Continue readingA Rankandfile.ca Reader: Reflections on 2013
labour law
In Rankandfile.ca’s final weekly labour news post for 2013: Union organizing at Carleton University Layoffs and resistance at Canada Post Legal challenge waged against Albert’s Progressive Conservative government Service sector organizing in Canada Korean workers fight against the threat of rail privatization IAMAW focuses on organizing non-traditional workplaces Return of “Rae Days” in Ontario New Continue readingLabour News Update – 30 December 2013
By David Bush and Jason Edwards Wages, working conditions and fair treatment are, above all else, determined by workers’ collective power. For the majority of workers, collective power, and consequently industry standards, is defined in large part by their ability to bargain collectively. The uneven power relations between workers and employers within the capitalist system Continue readingThe Labour Board of Nova Scotia: Stifling Free Collective Bargaining
by Doug Nesbitt On June 14 1872, the Trade Union Act, introduced by Prime Minister John A. Macdonald, became law. Unions were now legal in Canada. How did this happen and what did it take for unions to achieve legal recognition? Was it enlightened and benevolent politicians looking out for the masses? Backroom deals between Continue readingThe Nine-Hour Movement: How civil disobedience made unions legal
by David Bush and Doug Nesbitt On July 5, Nova Scotia’s New Democratic government reconvened the legislature to pass a special law revoking the right-to-strike for 800 ground and air ambulance paramedics of Local 727 of the International Union of Operating Engineers. The paramedics are employed by EMC Inc., a private for-profit company involved in Continue readingNova Scotia’s NDP revokes paramedics’ right-to-strike
A recent story by Vancouver Sun reporter, Peter O’Neil, reveals that a poll widely cited by Tory MP, Russ Hiebert, to support Bill C-377 might have contained some dubious claims. The Senate just recently sent the Bill back to the Commons with a list of amendments. Let’s not forget that the poll, commissioned by the Continue readingAnti-union poll now under investigation
On May 1, 2013, Ontario Tory MPP and labour critic, Randy Hillier (Lanark–Frontenac–Lennox and Addington) introduced two pieces of right-to-work style (RTW) legislation, Bill 64 “Defending Employees’ Rights Act (Collective Bargaining and Financial Disclosure by Trade Unions), 2013” and Bill 63 “Labour Relations Amendment Act (Ontario Labour Relations Board), 2013”. Bill 64 prohibits trade unions Continue readingRight-to-work in Ontario
Caterpillar closing its tunnelling plant by mid-April 2014, throwing 330 people out of work Toronto Star, May 3 2013 Alberta government insists union pay millions for ‘cost they put on taxpayers’ during wildcat strike Calgary Herald, May 2 2013 St. John’s NL airport strike drags on as high tourism season looms Montreal Gazette, May 7 Continue readingLabour News Update, May 8 2013
By Andrew Stevens Sweeping changes to Saskatchewan’s labour relations and employment standards legislation are on the verge of being passed. Bill 85, the Saskatchewan Employment Act, will dramatically transform the laws governing trade unions and industrial relations in the province. The Saskatchewan Party government, led by Premier Brad Wall, insists that the changes will simply Continue readingSaskatchewan: A Beachhead of Labour Law Reform?
Some of subjects in these week’s labour news update: Saskatchewan labour legislation Porter Airlines strike Study: Employment precarity and household well-being Labour Force Survey: February 2013 Austerity in Ontario universities Precarious employment in GTA Racial wealth gap triples since Reagan era
Former Toronto police union leader Craig Bromell heads new union in construction industry Bromell, who is married and the father of four children, left the force after 26 years of service. He hosted a radio show for four years and then was executive producer of the television cop series The Bridge before becoming a consultant for the Continue readingLabour News Update – 18 February 2013
In this week’s labour news update: Bill 115 & Ontario teachers OLRB ruling: Ontario government vs ETFO Idle No More Porter Airlines strike Walmart challenge in Saskatchewan New Brunswick nurses CAW drive at Toyota “New Normal” in Canadian IR Right-to-Work in Ontario Employment Insurance Temporary Foreign Worker program The Great Walmart Walkout UAW organizing at Continue readingLabour news update – January 15 2003