Today (September 26), the Communications Energy and Paperworkers Union (CEP), the Canadian Autoworkers Union (CAW), the BC Teachers’ Federation, the United Fishermen and Allied Workers’ Union-CAW, and the Canadian Union of Public Employees BC (CUPE BC) have all added their names to the growing list endorsing the October 22 Defend
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Canadian ProgressiveCanadian Progressive: CAW Sets Sights on National Auto Policy as Chrysler Deal Ratifies
CAW members at Chrysler have approved a new collective agreement, voting 90 per cent in favour of ratification. Voting took place at a series of ratification meetings held Saturday September 29 and Sunday September 30 in Windsor, Brampton and Etobicoke, Ontario. The contract with Chrysler follows the pattern deal set
Continue readingPolitics, Re-Spun: So Did YOU Get a 3% Raise Last Year?
So, did you get a 3% raise last year? The average Canadian did. See the first chart below. If not, you’re behind the average Canadian. And even with a small offset of increased hours worked going up by only 1% for the 12 months ending last June, at worst, the
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Rick Salutin On Teacher Unions
We seem to be in the constant throes of anti-union sentiment during a time they are most needed. The right wing, including Ontario Conservative leader young Tim Hudak, seems to be especially enamored of the phrases “union bosses” and “workplace democracy,” both thinly-disguised anti-union euphemisms. And now that teachers are
Continue readingRandom Ranting Raving and Ratings: Pierre Poilievre – Silencing Dissent through Intimidation
In 1946, Justice Rand determined that even though employees working in a unionized work environment were not required to join the union they were required to pay union dues because all workers in the workplace benefited from the contract negotiated by …
Continue readingRandom Ranting Raving and Ratings: Pierre Poilievre – Silencing Dissent through Intimidation
In 1946, Justice Rand determined that even though employees working in a unionized work environment were not required to join the union they were required to pay union dues because all workers in the workplace benefited from the contract negotiated by the union on the workers behalf regardless of… ..
Continue readingRandom Ranting Raving and Ratings: Pierre Poilievre – Silencing Dissent through Intimidation
In 1946, Justice Rand determined that even though employees working in a unionized work environment were not required to join the union they were required to pay union dues because all workers in the workplace benefited from the contract negotiated by the union on the workers behalf regardless of… ..
Continue readingTrashy's World: Polievre is on another of his…
… clueless rampages again! Why demonize ALL of the unions because one of them makes a bonehead decision. Be that as it may (francophones giggle at that phrase), I cannot condemn strongly enough the actions of PSAC! They have done this bullshit before in endorsing the Bloq in past elections.
Continue readingcmkl: Labour Day meta post
Happy Labour Day everyone. I wouldn’t be an aging radical if I didn’t point out within the first 50 words or so that May Day is in fact the real workers’ holiday.
Continue readingPolitics, Re-Spun: Bravery in a Time of Struggle
I was but wee when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. It must have been quite trying: a feat of technological innovation, cooperative efforts by thousands of mostly anonymous people and the global fame of a few astonishingly brave people who would be willing to sit atop a huge bomb
Continue reading350 or bust: It’s Labour Day – Hug A Union
This long holiday weekend has been brought to you by the blood sweat and tears of the Labor Movement; enjoy your holiday Monday, but don’t take it for granted. It is very easy to forget how many workers and organizers lost their lives and jobs, were thrown in jail or were
Continue readingThe Progressive Economics Forum: Unionization and Labour Market Performance
Further to my earlier post on the “own goal” scored by the Fraser Institute report on North American labour markets, the Table below shows the rankings of the Canadian provinces – out of 60 states and provinces – for (1) labour market performance, 2007-11 and (2) the unionization rate. (I
Continue readingThe Progressive Economics Forum: Labour Market Regulation and Labour Market Performance
A release by the Fraser Institute – Measuring Labour Markets in Canada and the United States, 2012 Edition – registers as a spectacular own goal. The Fraser Institute believes – and argues in this study – that strong unions, high minimum wages and high levels of public sector employment undermine
Continue readingThe Progressive Economics Forum: Excerpts From CAW Convention Document
Last week’s CAW convention in Toronto was one of the most exciting labour events I’ve ever been to. A highlight, of course, was the high-energy and unanimous endorsement delegates provided for the New Union Project (under which the CAW and CEP will jointly form a new union, with a new
Continue readingThe Progressive Economics Forum: Raising Saskatchewan’s Minimum Wage
Saskatchewan Federation of Labour president Larry Hubich and I have the following joint op-ed in today’s Regina Leader-Post (page A10). It’s been fourteen years since I first wrote into The Leader-Post advocating a minimum-wage increase. Why higher wages make economic sense Recent Saskatchewan government news releases trumpet record numbers for
Continue readingThe Progressive Economics Forum: Spinning Mr. Carney
For novelty value if nothing else, Mark Carney’s appearance at the CAW convention last week was bound to spark lots of attention. After all, we could find no other historical example of a Bank of Canada Governor ever speaking to a union convention. That says something in and of itself,
Continue readingParliamANT Hill: Labour Day Weekend – Courtesy of Unions
Inspired by Labour.
Continue readingThe Liberal Scarf: "Students putting students first" – Ontario Student Trustees’ Association calls Putting Students First Act "a fair deal", but will the NDP and Catherine Fife listen?
The NDP and Catherine Fife have already come out against the Putting Students First Act, but will they listen to the students of Ontario themselves or their big union money interests? Here’s what the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association says about the Liberal government moving to make sure students are in
Continue readingParliamANT Hill: New Union Project Inspires CAW DelegAnts, Passes UnAntimously
Inspired by this story: http://www.newunionproject.ca/caw-delegates-vote-in-favour-of-new-union-proposal/
Continue readingParliamANT Hill: CAW Video Contest Finalist: Local 444 & PlAnt a row, Grow a row
Inspired by this video:http://www.caw2012.ca/caw-video-contest-finalist-local-444-plant-a-row-grow-a-row/
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