The Clark government seems to be losing a lot of its chief spokespeople, but the minister responsible is playing down the trend. At least 11 communications directors have either fired or left their posts in the last year, but Labour and Citizens Services Minister Margaret MacDiarmid says that's normal turnover for a highly stressful job. "I have … [Read more...]
CLBC bonuses raises question of possible double standard with labour leader
July 1, 2012 by
The provincial government has said controversial bonuses to executives at Community Living BC were rolled into salaries because contracts cannot be broken. That has one labour leader scratching her head. BC Teachers Federation president Susan Lambert says the province hasn't had any problem breaking contracts in the past. "Of course, governments … [Read more...]
Union lawyers argue to remove mediator in teachers’ labour dispute
June 7, 2012 by
Lawyers for the teachers’ union are in B.C. Supreme Court today, trying to remove Charles Jago as mediator in their labour dispute. They argue Jago is not only unqualified to mediate as appointed by the government, but he is also biased. The union's lawyers are running down the tenuous history between the two sides. Aside from asking the … [Read more...]
BC Federation of Labour President slams ruling that bans mounties from forming a union
June 3, 2012 by
The head of the BC Federation of Labour is calling a ruling from Ontario's top court "a terrible decision." That ruling bans RCMP officers from forming a union. Jim Sinclair points to the fact that other police forces across the country -- are unionized. "You can work out essential services, other police forces aren't allowed to strike, that's not … [Read more...]
Labour dispute won’t shut down West Coast Express
May 22, 2012 by
Good news for people who count on the West Coast Express. The union and CP Rail say commuter train service in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal won't be disrupted in the event of job action at the railway.Almost five thousand CP Rail workers could walk out first thing tomorrow. But the two sides have agreed not to shut down the West Coast … [Read more...]
Labour Minister says inquest recommendations won’t be ignored
May 17, 2012 by
BC's Labour Minister is promising recommendations from the coroner's jury investigating a fatal accident at a Langley mushroom farm will not be ignored. "We have made substantial progress over the last number of years." Margaret MacDiarmid says since the 2008 tragedy agriculture inspections have increased 60 per cent, but she admits more … [Read more...]
More labour talks in the public service
May 15, 2012 by
A union chapter that represents 12-hundred public service professionals including geologists, engineers, veterinarians, and psychologists, has voted 92 percent in favour of a strike. Brett Harper with the Professional Employees Association, says talks with the government began in January, but broke down about a month ago, "We're going back to … [Read more...]
Inquest into mushroom farm deaths resumes with labour advocate
May 13, 2012 by
A coroner’s inquest into the deaths of three workers at a Langley mushroom farm in 2008 picks up Monday, with testimony from B.C.’s top labour advocate. Jim Sinclair's message is pretty simple: Hand out meaningful criminal penalties to employers who violate labour laws. "When there's clear negligence – not just an accident, but … [Read more...]
Teacher labour relations update
April 10, 2012 by
Teachers hoping the Labour Relations Board will quickly step in to remove a government-appointed meditator in their contract dispute are out of luck.Officials with the LRB have now confirmed written submissions will be reviewed next week, but no timeline has been set for a ruling.Last week, the BC Teachers Federation asked the board to intervene, … [Read more...]
Catalyst Paper: one union votes down labour agreement
January 30, 2012 by
RICHMOND, B.C. - Specialty paper producer Catalyst Paper Corp. (TSX:CTL) says that one of the unions at its Crofton mill in B.C. has rejected a new contract that must be ratified as part of the company's new refinancing plan to stay alive.The Richmond, B.C.,-based company, which has been struggling to emerge from its financial woes, said Monday … [Read more...]
