By Judy Haiven The tragic suicide by a worker with 38 years’ seniority at Halifax Shipyard on Wednesday, sparked a walk out of more than 300 shipyard workers on Thursday. First thing this morning, workers found out that on learning of their comrade’s death, workers on the previous night’s shift had refused to work. At Continue readingSuicide – The Last Straw At Halifax Shipyard
Nova Scotia
By Shay Enxuga Originally published at the Halifax Media Co-op, September 4 2013 This article uses the single gender-neutral pronoun “they”. “Queer struggles are class struggles,” says Charlie Huntley, a 25 year old coffee shop worker, “and should never be addressed as if they are isolated issues.” On the heels of a successful union drive Continue readingQueer Struggles are Class Struggles
by Doug Nesbitt The unionization of baristas in Halifax has earned mainstream news coverage, including CBC Radio’s “News at Six” and well-researched articles in the press addressing wider issues of low wages and lack of job security for young workers. In contrast, some commentary in the right-wing press perpetuates common but false claims about work Continue readingFive myths about barista work and unionization
The low wage service sector is one of the most difficult sectors for workers to form unions. The small workplaces’ lack of union tradition, high staff turnover and aggressive anti-union managers and owners in the sector have meant that most unions have stayed away from organizing places such as coffee shops. In Halifax, Nova Scotia Continue readingBaristas Rise Up in Halifax
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
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
Changes to Canada’s federal temporary foreign workers program: Is there any difference? Foreign Workers Canada: Tories Change Course On Controversial Program Wildcats in Alberta: Is labour militancy on the rise in Wildrose country? Alberta jail guard wildcat strike leaves main courthouses in gridlock Alberta jail guard union fined, found in contempt of court Workers on Continue readingLabour News Update, 30 April 2013
As part of a new workers protest movement emerging out of the Atlantic provinces and Quebec, organized labour has been coordinating large town halls on the EI changes brought about by the Harper government. The town halls are providing an open floor for people to share their experiences and concerns, as well as discuss and Continue readingCape Breton workers speak out against EI changes