Labour Day 2012: Get ready to rumble

rabble staff — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 18:20:10 +0000

Friday, August 31, 2012

The Labour Day picnics and parades might be the calm before the storm for the labour movement this fall.

The Labour Day picnics and parades might be the calm before the storm for the labour movement this fall. On top of terrible job losses in manufacturing and resource industries, governments in Canada are sharpening their swords, preparing to do battle with the country's trade unions.

It's not just unions that should be worried. The lagging economy is failing all Canadians, whether in unions or not. Historically, the trade union movement has played a pivotal role in turning things around and raising living standards for everyone. But the political and bargaining strengths of unions are at one of the lowest points in decades, and opponents are preparing to take advantage of this weakened state.

As labour fights multiply, so too will the victories

rabble staff — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 02:47:30 +0000

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

The Conservative government has openly revealed its contempt of workers' rights and collective bargaining, but the CAW and CUPW disputes show labour's will to fight.

The ground shifted for the Canadian labour movement this week. Monday night 4,000 thousand Air Canada workers walked off the job, joining 50,000 CUPW workers already on rotating strikes. CAW and CUPW-two unions that have made breakthrough gains in past struggles-are blocking further stripping of their pension and benefit plans, and are refusing to agree to lower living standards for new workers.

Morna Ballantyne

Labour Day 2012: Get ready to rumble

As labour fights multiply, so too will the victories