Air Canada intervention may be “Band-Aid solution”
April 9, 2012 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 10 - Third-Party Intervention, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process
Description: Federally regulated employers say Ottawa’s intervention in several Air Canada disputes may hurt both unions and employers in the long run.
Source: The Globe and Mail
Date: 04/08/2012
Related links:
- “Lisa Raitt comes out swinging” – Maclean’s
- Federally Regulated Employers – Transportation and Communications
- Lisa Raitt
- Ian Lee, Carleton University
- International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
- George Smith, Queen’s University
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the arguments made in this article.
- What do you think about Mr. Ferrell’s arguments?
- What do you think about Ms. Raitt’s arguments?
- Do you agree with Dr. Lee that Ottawa is looking after the “greater public good”?
- Why or why not?
B.C. teachers ask labour board to fire mediator
April 9, 2012 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 10 - Third-Party Intervention, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process
Description: The B.C. Teachers’ Federation has asked the B.C. Labour Relations Board to overturn the appointment of a mediator in their dispute with the provincial government.
Source: The Victoria Times Colonist
Date: 04/05/2012
Related links:
- B.C. Labour Relations Board
- Earlier update
- B.C. Teachers’ Federation
- B.C. Ministry of Education
- B.C. Public School Employers’ Association
- Bill 22, the Education Improvement Act
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the BCTF’s argument in favour of overturning the mediator’s appointment.
- What is the government’s response?
- What is Dr. Jago’s response?
- Who do you think has the strongest case?
- Review your text’s section on labour boards. Given what you know, do you think the B.C. LRB has the power to overturn the appointment? Explain.
ILO rules against Ontario farm workers law
April 2, 2012 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues
Description: The International Labour Organization has found that an Ontario law does not protect the rights of farm workers.
Source: Canadian Labour Reporter
Date: 03/30/2012
Related links:
- Prof. David Doorey on the ILO ruling
- Earlier update
- Agricultural Employees Protection Act, 2002
- The International Labour Organization
Questions for discussion:
- What is the ILO?
- What powers does it have?
- Summarize the reasons behind this ruling.
- Describe the difference in opinion between the ILO and the Supreme Court of Canada.
- Which ruling do you agree with? Why?
- Prof. Doorey asks: “Do you think that the Liberal Government in Ontario should do what the ILO is asking, and amend the laws to grant agricultural workers the right to collective bargaining and to strike?” What do you think?
Mediator in teachers dispute has no mediation experience
Description: The government-appointed mediator in the B.C. teachers dispute has no mediation experience.
Source: The (Vancouver) Province
Date: 03/29/2012
Related links:
- B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union takes strike vote
- Court injunction blocks B.C. anesthetists’ job action
- Earlier update
- B.C. Public School Employers’ Association
- B.C. Ministry of Education
- B.C. Teachers’ Federation
Questions for discussion:
- What are Dr. Charles Jago’s qualifications to mediate the B.C. teachers dispute?
- Why is the BCTF upset about his appointment?
- Do you think they have valid reasons to be concerned?
- Why or why not?
- What is unusual about this mediation process?
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.