Decentralized I.R. jurisdictions create ‘complex landscape’
April 14, 2013 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction
Description: Daphne Taras, dean of the Edwards School of Business at the University of Saskatchewan, says Canada has “the most decentralized labour relations in the world.”
Source: The Globe and Mail Report on Business
Date: 04/11/2013
Related links:
- “Why Canada can’t compete”
- Canadian Chamber of Commerce competitiveness report (pdf)
- “Labour laws and regulations in Canada”
- Daphne Taras
Questions for discussion:
- Do you think the headline on this Globe and Mail article accurately reflects Dr. Taras’s comments? Discuss.
- What does Dr. Taras say about labour codes and flexibility?
- What does the Chamber of Commerce report say about labour codes and flexibility? What do you think they are getting at?
- Consult your text and describe briefly the history of industrial relations jurisdiction in Canada.
- What determines whether a union-employer relationship falls under federal or provincial jurisdiction?
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?
LRB declares teachers’ protest unlawful
January 13, 2013 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts
Description: The Ontario Labour Relations Board has declared a planned one-day walkout by elementary school teachers illegal.
Source: CTV
Date: 01/11/2013
Link: http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/etfo-osstf-cancel-planned-walkouts-1.1109787
Related links:
- Labour board decision (pdf)
- Blog post by Prof. David Doorey
- Statement by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario
- Ontario Labour Relations Board
- Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario
- Ontario Ministry of Education
Questions for discussion:
- Who brought the application to the Ontario LRB?
- What did the Elementary Teachers’ Federation intend to do?
- Summarize the arguments made by the two sides.
- What reasons did the board give for its decision?
- Prof. David Doorey asks: “Do you think the definition of ‘strikes’ should include a protest against a government’s public policies?” What do you think? Why?
Alberta LRB allows NHL lockout to continue
October 14, 2012 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts
Description: The Alberta Labour Relations Board has rejected an NHL Players’ Association application to have the NHL lockout ruled unlawful.
Source: Toronto Star
Date: 10/10/2012
Related links:
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the NHLPA’s argument.
- What did the Alberta LRB decide?
- What was their reasoning?
- What do you think would have happened if the LRB had found in favour of the players’ association?
- Do you agree with this ruling?
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.
Toronto paramedics ask to be declared essential service
January 29, 2012 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 10 - Third-Party Intervention, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process
Description: About 250 — some reports said 350 — Toronto paramedics held a rally asking that they be declared an essential service.
Source: CBC
Date: 01/24/2012
Related links:
- CTV story
- Global Toronto story
- Canadian Labour Reporter story
- Press release from the Toronto Paramedic Association
- The Toronto Paramedic Association
- City of Toronto
- Ontario Labour Relations Board
- CUPE local 416
Questions for discussion:
- In industrial relations terms, what is an essential service?
- Who would make the final decision on whether Toronto paramedics are an essential service?
- Describe the process by which an application for an essential service designation would be made in this case.
- What reason is the city giving for not making an immediate decision?
- What effect would an essential service declaration have on the paramedics?
- Why do you think they are asking to be declared an essential service?
- What is binding interest arbitration? Why do you think the paramedics favour it?
Zellers workers want to keep contract
December 5, 2011 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 12 - Changes to the Union or the Employer, Chapter 13 - Future Issues
Description: Unionized workers at a B.C. Zellers want American retail giant Target to honour their collective agreement when it takes over their store next year.
Source: The Vancouver Sun
Date: 12/02/2011
Link: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Zellers+staff+want+union+agreement+honoured/5800974/story.html
Related links:
Questions for discussion:
- Why does the union believe the contract should be honoured?
- What is Target’s argument against honouring the contract?
- The Globe story says Target’s “low-cost operating model … relies on competitive compensation and flexibility in scheduling shifts and assigning tasks.” What terms do you think the union would use to describe that model?
- Review the section in your text on successorship. What principles will the B.C. Labour Relations Board use to decide this case?
- Based on what you know, do you think the collective agreement should continue to apply?
- Why or why not?
Nova Scotia appoints chair of reorganized labour board
June 1, 2011 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction
Description: The Nova Scotia government has named a former provincial ombudsman to head up its reorganized labour board.
Source: The Canadian Press
Date: 05/31/2011
Related links:
- Government press release
- Nova Scotia Labour Board
- Summary of board activity (pdf)
- Nova Scotia “Plain Language Guide” to industrial relations (pdf)
Questions for discussion:
- What is the role of a labour relations board?
- What are its powers?
- What does “quasi-judicial status” mean?
- Give an example of an employment matter the Nova Scotia board does not deal with.
- Give a brief description of Nova Scotia’s recent labour tribunal reorganization. Why do you think this was done?
Union claims activist blacklisted
May 24, 2011 by tbarrett
Filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues
Description: The United Food and Commercial Workers union has filed a complaint with the B.C. Labour Relations Board claiming that the Mexican government and a B.C. farm have blocked a pro-union seasonal worker from returning to this country.
Source: Macleans.ca
Date: 05/24/2011
Link: http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/05/24/what-happened-down-on-the-farm/
Related links:
- B.C. Labour Relations Board
- United Food and Commercial Workers union
- Agricultural Workers Alliance
- Earlier story from the Province (Vancouver)
- Earlier update on farmworkers’ rights
Questions for discussion:
- What is the role of the B.C. Labour Relations Board in this case?
- What would you expect to happen next?
- We have seen in earlier updates on this site that some people argue that agriculture should be treated differently from other areas of the economy when it comes to industrial relations. Do you think those arguments apply here?
- Why or why not?
- How does the alleged involvement of the Mexican government complicate this case?
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.