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CUPE on airline safety | University strikes | CN derailments | Alberta health cuts | Canada Post profts | US Steel | BC education | Lakeland inquiry | workplace safety | Saskatchewan job losses | Moncton call centre organizing | Hamilton transit strike | #BottlesNotCans | CUPW on C51
CUPE says new airline staffing rules puts passengers in danger
Steven Chase, Globe and Mail
March 27 2015
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is drawing attention to exemptions granted by Transport Minister Lisa Raitt in recent years that allow air carriers to reduce the minimum number of flight attendants on board aircraft.
Nearly 1700 jobs and $371 million to be cut from Alberta Health Services
Calgary Herald
March 26 2015
Nearly 1,700 jobs at Alberta Health Services could be axed as the health authority struggles with a 3.3 per cut in this year’s provincial budget. AHS will get $371 million less in the coming 12 months.
Tory majority defeats US Steel apology motion
Steve Arnold, Hamilton Spectator
March 26 2015
An effort to get the Harper government to apologize for ever allowing U.S. Steel into the country has been defeated. Hamilton Centre MP David Christopherson’s December motion, put to a vote Wednesday, also sought changes to bankruptcy legislation to protect pensioners and the release of secret deals between the government and the company.
Canada Post turns massive $299 million profit in 2014
Canadian Union of Postal Workers
March 27 2015
Canada Post Group has reported a massive profit from operations of $299 Million for 2014. Denis Lemelin, CUPW National President said: “It’s some $555 Million better than the loss projected in Canada Post’s corporate plan. Postal workers are justifiably proud to perform a valuable, profitable public service. Now if only Canada Post’s executives could see how clearly it shows that there’s no need to cut door-to-door delivery for millions of families.”
University strikes come to an end
CUPE 3903 wins historic deal, reaches tentative agreement with York University
CUPE 3902 votes for binding arbitration, ending strike at University of Toronto
Health and Safety
Hydraulic scaffold collapses in Toronto, two bricklayers killed
CBC News
March 27 2015
Vancouver poultry company sued for working man to death
Chad Pawson, CBC News
March 25 2015
Lakeland Inquest: Steelworkers walk out coroner’s inquest in frustration
Global News
March 23 2015
Lakeland Inquest: WorkSafeBC turned down access to sawmill investigations
Globe and Mail
March 25 2015
Ontario Tories attack OFL for helping injured workers
RadioLabour.ca
March 28 2015
CN derailments soared before recent crashes
Allison Martel, Globe and Mail
March 23 2015
Canadian National Railway’s safety record deteriorated sharply in 2014, reversing years of improvements, as accidents in Canada blamed on poor track conditions hit their highest level in more than five years, a Reuters analysis has found.
Large job losses hit Regina and Saskatoon
CBC News
March 25 2015
The Staples call centre in Regina plans to downsize in November and lay off 200 employees. Meanwhile, the Case New Holland plant in Saskatoon has cut 75 staff members and will eliminate another 338 between May and August.
Hamilton transit union delivers 95% strike mandate
CBC News
March 30 2015
Hamilton’s transit union has voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike if talks break down between the union and the City of Hamilton. The 682 transit workers could walk off the job as early as April 9, after Sunday’s strike mandate was delivered to the union with a 95 per cent vote in favour of walking off the job if no deal surfaces.
Unifor seeks to represent Nordia call centre workers in Moncton
CBC News
March 26 2015
The union that represents Bell Aliant and Bell Canada workers in Moncton has applied to the Canada Industrial Relations Board to represent Nordia call centre employees as well. About 400 people work for Nordia, a Bell subsidiary that opened in the city last year. “What we’re saying is that due to the fact that these people, or workers, are doing 100 per cent exclusive Bell work, that … these should be our members,” said Unifor’s Maritime representative, Patrick Murray.