by Scotty Hertz A fierce demonstration of worker solidarity was evident on the picket line at Guelph’s NGF Glass in the early hours of October 9th. Workers from a wide range of industries, sectors and unions braved the coldest morning of the fall so far to support the 28 striking members of Workers United Local Continue readingNGF scabs sent packing in Guelph
solidarity actions
Petition from workers is a call for sustained action by Doug Nesbitt Over 140 locked out workers at IKEA Richmond have signed a petition calling on the Canadian Labour Congress, Teamsters Canada (their union), and all trade unionists to start a Canada-wide boycott against the well-known corporation. The workers have been locked out for over Continue readingIKEA Richmond workers call for Canada-wide boycott
Rankandfile.ca spoke with Peter, a long-serving conductor at CN, Canada’s largest rail company. In part one of the interview, Peter discusses the transformation of labour relations and downsizing at CN under the leadership of Hunter Harrison (1998-2010), who is now the chief executive at CPR. By some accounts, Harrison spearheaded the “Americanization” of CN shortly Continue readingWhistleblowers, downsizing, and safety at CN: Interview with a CN conductor
by Doug Nesbitt Nearly a month has passed since Canada Post’s management announced, without warning to either the public or the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, that home delivery for five million Canadians would be cut, at least 8,000 jobs eliminated, and service costs increased. As many have pointed out, including the Canadian Union of Continue readingSaving Canada Post: The struggle so far
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
On September 9, Rankandfile.ca visited the picket lines in Kingston, Ontario outside the Providence Care mental health hospital where 70 healthcare workers – or 1/5 of the workforce – are being laid off. We interviewed nurses, paramedics, anti-poverty activists and union officials. This is what we found: Organized by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union Continue readingP3s & layoffs: Kingston workers expose Liberal healthcare cuts
In our third installment of the Unifor Interview Series with union leaders, staff, and rank-and-file members, we speak with Roxanne Dubois about Unifor’s Community Chapters. Roxane is a staff member of the CEP and now Unifor, and is a former chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. She presented a discussion paper on community chapters Continue readingUnifor Interview Series: Roxanne Dubois on Community Chapters
Dave Bush speaks with Kyle Buott, President of the Halifax-Dartmouth & District Labour Council, about trade unionism and worker activism. Kyle addresses the political importance of local labour councils in regional labour movement struggles and building solidarity between workplace issues and social movements. [audio:https://www.rankandfile.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/kyle_buott_final.mp3|titles=Kyle Buott, Halifax-Dartmouth District Labour Council]
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
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 Dan Bouchard Recording Secretary of CUPE 2544 This week I began my holidays. The previous week I had assembled a long “honey-do” list of items that I had planned to take care of. Amongst the top of them: staining the deck, sealing the driveway and tending to the garden beds. Alas, this has not Continue readingCoke and polar bears and profits
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