Ottawa wants to talk sick leave, pensions with unions
March 24, 2013 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process
Description: The federal government wants to look at “changes to the labour relations regime,” including sick leave, pensions and compensation, to help balance the budget.
Source: CBC
Date: 03/21/2013
Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2013/03/21/ottawa-public-servant-sick-benefits.html
Related links:
- Winnipeg Free Press editorial
- Federal budget
- Public Service Alliance of Canada media release
- Earlier story
Questions for discussion:
- Describe briefly the current federal sick leave provisions.
- What arguments do these stories and editorials give for renegotiating sick leave provisions?
- What arguments does PSCA make for keeping things the way they are?
- Which do you think are the most persuasive arguments?
- How do you think this situation will be resolved?
NSCAD, faculty reach agreement
March 10, 2013 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 10 - Third-Party Intervention, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process
Description: NSCAD University in Halifax and the union representing faculty and librarians have reached a tentative three-year agreement.
Source: The Chronicle Herald
Date: 03/08/2013
Link: http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/904171-nscad-university-faculty-reach-deal
Related links:
- Earlier news story
- NSCAD University
- University statement
- The Faculty Union of NSCAD
- SUNSCAD – the NSCAD student union on Twitter
- Nova Scotia Conciliation Services
Questions for discussion:
- What was the main issue in this dispute, according to news stories?
- Consult the Related Links above. Can you find any language in the FUNSCAD Unit 1 collective agreement that relates to this issue?
- What impact do you think job action by the union would have had on students?
- If you were a student at NSCAD, what position would you take on this strike?
- Why?
Conciliator meets with parties in Sudbury dispute
March 10, 2013 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 10 - Third-Party Intervention, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process
Description: Community Living Greater Sudbury and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 676 are using a conciliator in the hopes of reaching a collective agreement.
Source: Sudbury Northern Life
Date: 03/08/2013
Link: http://www.northernlife.ca/news/localNews/2013/03/08-community-living-opseu-sudbury.aspx
Related links:
Questions for discussion:
- How long have the parties been without a collective agreement?
- Consult your text. What happens when a collective agreement expires?
- What is conciliation?
- What is a “no board”?
- What can happen after one is issued?
Alberta premier angers former labour allies
March 3, 2013 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process
Description: The teachers, nurses and public sector workers who supported Alberta Premier Alison Redford in last year’s election are unhappy with her latest cost-cutting moves.
Source: The Globe and Mail
Date: 02/26/2013
Related links:
- Calgary Herald story
- Alberta Teachers’ Association
- Alberta Education Minister Jeff Johnson
- Premier Alison Redford
- Alberta Health Services
- Alberta Federation of Labour
Questions for discussion:
- Why is labour angry at the Redford government?
- Why is the government making cuts now?
- What is the state of negotiations between the government and teachers?
- Summarize the positions of the government and the teachers.
- Which side do you think makes the most persuasive arguments? Why?
BC government seeks 10-year deal with nurses
March 3, 2013 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 7 - Defining and Commencing Collective Bargaining, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process
Description: The B.C. government has angered regional health authorities with a proposal for a 10-year collective agreement for nurses.
Source: The Vancouver Sun
Date: 02/25/2013
Related links:
- Vancouver Sun column
- B.C. health authorities
- Health Employers Association of B.C
- B.C. Nurses’ Union
- Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid
- Earlier update
Questions for discussion:
- Review the Related Links above. What is the role of the six health authorities?
- What is the role of the HEABC?
- What role would the health authorities play in reaching a collective agreement?
- Why do you think the government is exploring a 10-year deal?
- Why are the health authorities upset? Do you think their complaints are justified? Explain.
Ottawa-area school board becoming impatient
February 24, 2013 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 10 - Third-Party Intervention, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts
Description: The Upper Canada District School Board says it’s worried about the length of time the Ontario Labour Relations Board is taking to decide on an application for a cease-and-desist order.
Source: The Ottawa Citizen
Date: 02/22/2013
Related links:
- Earlier Toronto Star story
- Upper Canada District School Board
- District media release
- Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario
- Ontario Labour Relations Board
- Earlier update
Questions for discussion:
- What actions does the school board want the OLRB to halt?
- What did the school board argue before the OLRB?
- Review the related links above. What was the teachers’ argument?
- Do you think the teachers’ activities fit the definition of a strike? Why or why not?
- Why do you think it has taken so long to reach a decision?
Classes to resume at St. Francis Xavier
February 17, 2013 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 10 - Third-Party Intervention, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts
Description: The St. F.X. Association of University Teachers has voted 96 per cent in favour of a new collective agreement with St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S.
Source: The Halifax Chronicle Herald
Date: 02/16/2013
Link: http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/703539-st-fx-faculty-union-oks-deal
Related links:
- Earlier CBC story
- The U – StFX Students’ Union on Facebook
- St. F.X. Association of University Teachers
- University negotiation update
- Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union Local 88
- Earlier update
Questions for discussion:
- What are the key features of the new collective agreement?
- Why does the union head argue that the “strike was worth it?”
- Do you agree with him?
- What is happening in the other labour dispute mentioned in this story?
- What happens if NSGEU Local 88 rejects the university’s offer?
Manitoba insurance workers get two-year freeze
February 10, 2013 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process
Description: Workers at Manitoba’s public auto insurance authority have agreed to a four-year contract with a two-year wage freeze and improved benefits.
Source: Canadian Labour Reporter
Date: 02/05/2013
Link: http://www.labour-reporter.com/articleview/17223-manitoba-insurance-employees-ratify-new-agreement
Related links:
Questions for discussion:
- What is the overall wage increase in this agreement?
- What are the non-wage features of this agreement?
- Given what you know, do you think this is a reasonable agreement?
- Why or why not?
- The union statement does not include the expression “wage freeze.” Why do you think this is?
Faculty association strikes at St. Francis Xavier
February 3, 2013 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts
Description: Striking faculty met for informal talks with the administration of St. Francis Xavier University, in Antigonish, N.S.
Source: CBC
Date: 02/01/2013
Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2013/02/01/ns-st-fx-rally-strike.html
Related links:
- Earlier story
- University FAQ for students
- Halifax Chronicle Herald story
- StFX Association of University Teachers
- The U – StFX Students’ Union on Facebook
Questions for discussion:
- Browse the related links above: What salary increase is the university proposing?
- What increase is the faculty association proposing?
- What are the other issues in this dispute?
- How are students responding to the strike?
- What would you do if you were a student at St. FX?
Couche-Tard sells some stores in battle with union
Description: Quebec convenience store owner Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. is selling some of its outlets to franchisees in an apparent attempt to frustrate efforts to reach collective agreements.
Source: The Financial Post
Date: 01/31/2013
Related links:
- Montreal Gazette story
- Earlier story
- Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
- Confédération des syndicats nationaux (French)
- The Quebec labour relations commission
Questions for discussion:
- Explain what Couche-Tard is doing with its unionized stores.
- How would this make things more difficult for the union?
- Review the section in your textbook on successorship rights. How do they apply here?
- The union says Couche-Tard’s founder should share “a piece of the cake.” Do you agree? Why or why not?
- What would you think of the company’s actions if you were a Couche-Tard employee? An investor?
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.