B.C. teachers plan ‘day of action’
February 27, 2012 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 10 - Third-Party Intervention, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts
Description: Teachers in B.C. are planning protests in the face of a provincial government plan to legislate an end to their job action.
Source: CTV
Date: 02/27/2012
Related links:
- Victoria Times-Colonist story
- Vancouver Sun column
- Earlier update
- B.C. Teachers’ Federation
- B.C. Ministry of Education
- B.C. Public School Employers’ Association
Questions for discussion:
- What was the outcome of the government fact finder’s inquiry?
- Why, according to Vancouver Sun columnist Vaughn Palmer, did the government appoint the fact finder?
- What alternative to a legislated resolution is the Teachers’ Federation proposing?
- Why would the teachers favour such a step?
- Why would the government favour a legislated resolution?
Ontario Zellers workers ratify contract
February 27, 2012 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 12 - Changes to the Union or the Employer, Chapter 13 - Future Issues
Description: Unionized workers at Ontario Zellers stores have ratified a three-year contract that provides increased severance pay as the company’s stores are sold to non-union retailers from the U.S.
Source: CBC
Date: 02/20/2012
Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/02/20/toronto-ontario-zellers-workers-union.html
Related links:
- Canadian Labour Reporter story
- United Food and Commercial Workers Local 175
- Zellers
- Target
- Wal-Mart Canada
Questions for discussion:
- Why is severance pay an important part of this contract?
- What is successorship? (Consult your textbook.)
- Does it apply in this case?
- Why or why not?
- What do you think will likely happen to the workers at Zellers’ Canadian stores?
Air Canada, pilots agree to mediation
Description: Air Canada and the Air Canada Pilots Association have agreed to a six-month mediation process after the pilots voted overwhelmingly to approve strike action.
Source: The Financial Post
Date: 02/15/2012
Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2012/02/15/air-canada-union-agree-to-extend-mediation-process/
Related links:
Questions for discussion:
- Refer to your text and briefly describe the conciliation process.
- Does mediation prevent a strike or lockout?
- Will the recommendations of the co-mediators be binding?
- How long have the two sides been trying to achieve a new collective agreement?
- Given the government’s actions in recent disputes, what do you think would happen if the pilots did strike?
Alberta hospital workers walk off job
February 20, 2012 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 10 - Third-Party Intervention, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts
Description: The Alberta health authority and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees have agreed to binding arbitration after a one-day illegal walkout by hospital support staff.
Source: The Edmonton Journal
Date: 02/17/2012
Related links:
Questions for discussion:
- Why was this strike illegal?
- What are the issues in this negotiation?
- What is a wildcat strike?
- How did this strike begin?
- What is binding arbitration?
- How does it differ from the third-party intervention that has already occurred in these negotiations?
Air Canada, mechanics reach tentative deal
February 13, 2012 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 10 - Third-Party Intervention, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process
Description: Air Canada and the union representing mechanics and ground crews have reached a tentative settlement that the union says includes the retention of a defined-benefit pension plan.
Source: Canada.com
Date: 02/10/2012
Related links:
- Air Canada records $60 million loss, pilots call strike vote
- Earlier update
- Air Canada
- International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 140
- Union bulletin (pdf)
Questions for discussion:
- What were the issues in the negotiations between Air Canada and District 140?
- How was the question of pensions resolved?
- In what way is the pension solution a compromise?
- Review the related links. What form of third-party intervention was used in these negotiations?
- Why is the pilots’ union taking a strike vote?
Government hints at legislated end to B.C. teachers’ dispute
February 13, 2012 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 10 - Third-Party Intervention, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts
Description: B.C. Education Minister George Abbott says B.C. teachers and their employer are “oceans apart” and suggests the dispute won’t be “settled happily.”
Source: The Victoria Times-Colonist
Date: 02/10/2012
Link: http://www.timescolonist.com/business/Teachers+bosses+ocean+apart/6132362/story.html
Related links:
- B.C. government appoints fact finder
- Press releases from government, B.C. Teachers’ Federation
- Earlier update
- B.C. Public School Employers’ Association
- B.C. Teachers’ Federation
- B.C. Ministry of Education
Questions for discussion:
- What is the role of the government fact finder in this dispute?
- What are the B.C. teachers asking for?
- What is the government’s position?
- Which do you think is more reasonable?
- Why?
Caterpillar to close locomotive plant
February 6, 2012 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 2 - Theories of Industrial Relations, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts
Description: Caterpillar Inc. has announced it will close its London, Ont. Electro-Motive locomotive plant, where workers have been locked out since the beginning of the year.
Source: The Montreal Gazette
Date: 02/03/2011
Related links:
- Toronto Star column
- Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak on the closure
- Globe and Mail column
- National Post column
- Earlier updates
- Canadian Auto Workers
- Caterpillar Inc.
Questions for discussion:
- Why does Caterpillar say it must close the plant?
- What has been the union’s reaction?
- What do you think about this situation?
- Review the Related Links above. What is the connection between this closure and recent events in Indiana?
- Which of the columns listed under Related Links above do you think makes the strongest arguments? Why?
- What effect do you think this will have on other contract negotiations?
Social media and collective bargaining
February 6, 2012 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues
Description: Social media carry both risks and benefits for unionized workplaces.
Source: The Calgary Herald
Date: 01/28/2012
Link: http://www.calgaryherald.com/jobs/Navigating+social+media+maze/6066665/story.html
Related links:
- Len Polsky
- Dan Furst
- Wayne Benedict
- Annual conference of the Alberta branch of the Canadian Bar Association
- 2011 Cisco Connected World Tech Report
Questions for discussion:
- What does Wayne Benedict mean when he describes social media as “a double-edged sword”?
- Do you agree?
- Can you think of some ways in which unions could use social media?
- How would you feel about such practices if you were an employer?
- What, if any, social media policies do you think employers and unions should develop?
- Would you work for a company that banned access to social media?
Fiona McQuarrie's Industrial Relations in Canada received wide praise for helping students to understand the complex and sometimes controversial field of Industrial Relations, by using just the right blend of practice, process and theory. The text engages business students with diverse backgrounds and teaches them how an understanding of this field will help them become better managers.