Workers Issues in Canada
Workers Struggles: The Americas
Strikes hit mines in Peru and Mexico as retired US coal miners face health care cutoff
18 April 2017
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“The union works against us”
With contract battle looming, Canadian autoworkers at GM CAMI plant speak out
By Carl Bronski, 23 March 2017
Unifor officials have expressed concern about growing support for the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter as CAMI workers look to recoup years of union-backed wage and benefit concessions.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
7 March 2017
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Sordid inter-union dispute over Toronto transit union’s dues-stream
By Carl Bronski, 25 February 2017
Both factions in the dispute pitting the ATU against its Toronto local president and Unifor have a long record of imposing concession contracts.
Canada: Nova Scotia teachers on one-day strike against imposition of concessions contract
By Laurent Lafrance and Carl Bronski, 17 February 2017
The Liberal government's anti-teacher legislation comes in the wake of teachers rejecting for the third time a tentative contract endorsed by their union.
GM Canada slashes CAMI workforce in Ontario
By Carl Bronski, 4 February 2017
The announcement exposes the lying claims of Unifor and its President Jerry Dias that the latest round of concessions contracts would secure the Detroit Three’s Canadian “footprint.”
Quebec’s municipalities slash workers’ pensions, again
By Richard Dufour, 24 January 2017
It is estimated that over the next 15 years retired municipal workers will see the purchasing power of their pensions diminish by between one-third and a half.
Canada’s Liberal government boosts employer assault on pensions
By Roger Jordan, 30 November 2016
The Canadian Labour Congress’ opposition to Bill C-27 is a sham.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
29 November 2016
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The lessons of the Canadian autoworkers’ contract struggle
By Roger Jordan and Carl Bronski, 19 November 2016
Unifor’s imposition of another round of concessions contracts underscores the urgency of autoworkers repudiating its nationalist, pro-company perspective and building new organizations of struggle.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
9 November 2016
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Canada: Unifor scuttles strike at Integram Seating plant in matter of hours
By Carl Bronski, 8 November 2016
Fearful that the Integram strike would cut into the profits of the Detroit Three and galvanize opposition to the low-wage two-tier system, Unifor went into overdrive to shut it down.
Canada’s Liberal government outlines privatization plans
By Roger Jordan, 5 November 2016
Moves to privatize Canada’s eight largest airports are already well advanced.
Unifor promotes concession contracts and big business Liberals
By Roger Jordan, 3 November 2016
Unifor works with the auto bosses to ensure their Canadian operations are “globally competitive,” while collaborating with the big business Liberals in pursuing austerity and war.
Unifor prepares pattern sellout for Ford Canada workers
By Carl Bronski, 27 October 2016
In advance of the approaching contract deadline at Ford, Unifor President Jerry Dias is defending the sellout agreements imposed at General Motors and Fiat Chrysler.
Unifor’s Detroit Three “pattern” pact and the ruling class assault on pensions
By Roger Jordan, 25 October 2016
Big business representatives are applauding Unifor for giving up newly-hired autoworkers’ right to a guaranteed pension and are calling for this to become a new Canada-wide standard.
1937: When Canadian and US autoworkers fought together
By Roger Jordan, 20 October 2016
Coming just weeks after the Flint sit-down strike, the 1937 strike at GM’s Oshawa facilities contains pivotal lessons for autoworkers fighting to defend their jobs and rights against the Detroit Three and the Unifor bureaucracy.
Unifor rams through another sellout deal at Fiat-Chrysler
By Carl Bronski, 17 October 2016
The large “no” vote for a concessionary agreement Unifor is touting as the best in years indicates mounting opposition not just to its terms, but to the pro-company Unifor.
“How can you have a fair election if you don’t have the full information?”
Windsor Fiat Chrysler workers denounce Unifor sellout deal
By a reporting team, 15 October 2016
A Word Socialist Web Site Newsletter reporting team encountered strong opposition to the tentative contract deal between Unifor and Fiat Chrysler, based on the scant details released by the union.
Vote “No” on FCA-Unifor sellout deal
Build rank-and-file committees to resist company-union concessions
By Roger Jordan, 15 October 2016
If the latest concessions deal is to be defeated, everything depends on the independent initiative of FCA workers.
Fiat-Chrysler workers must demand to see Unifor-FCA sellout deal in full
By Roger Jordan, 14 October 2016
FCA workers must reject the attempt to stampede them into another rotten concessions agreement and assert their democratic right to see the proposed contract in full.
“It’s not a union anymore, it’s a business”
Canadian autoworkers react to Fiat Chrysler sellout
By our reporters, 13 October 2016
Canadian autoworkers reacted strongly to the announcement of a concession-laden deal Tuesday between Unifor and Fiat Chrysler.
Unifor thwarts strike by Canadian Fiat-Chrysler autoworkers
By Roger Jordan, 11 October 2016
Unifor announced just before midnight Monday it had reached a rotten concessions agreement with Fiat-Chrysler modelled on the contract that it recently rammed through at GM.
As autoworkers mobilize against concession demands
Unifor President Dias attempts to “whipsaw” Canadian auto plants
By Carl Bronski, 8 October 2016
Militant opposition to the miserable GM pattern settlement is growing at Fiat Chrysler and Ford Canada auto plants.
Political lessons from the Canadian auto “bailout”
By Roger Jordan, 7 October 2016
A successful autoworker counter-offensive requires not only a political and organizational break with the pro-company Unifor, but a political struggle against the entire ruling class and their political hirelings.
Opposition grows to GM Canada pattern contract
By Carl Bronski, 5 October 2016
Fearing mass rank-and-file opposition to the rotten “pattern” agreement Unifor reached at GM Canada, the local leadership at Ford’s Oakville assembly plant now claim to oppose it.
“If they bring back the same contract as GM we are going to reject it”
Unifor sets stage for Fiat-Chrysler sellout
By Carl Bronski, 4 October 2016
Unifor’s bargaining team at Fiat-Chrysler in Canada is putting the finishing touches on the “pattern” agreement initially negotiated at GM late last month.
Canadian autoworkers denounce contract sellout
By Carl Bronski, 29 September 2016
Workers at Canadian plants operated by the Detroit Three auto companies spoke to the WSWS Autoworkers Newsletter of their opposition to contract concessions and the pro-company policies of Unifor.
Liberals’ Canada Post review lays basis for massive assault on postal workers
By Laurent Lafrance, 28 September 2016
Despite making a public show of criticizing the task force’s call for further cuts in service and attacks on workers’ rights, CUPW bears political responsibility for the reactionary report.
Unifor’s big lie exposed
Ontario Liberal government reveals GM investments are not finalized
By Carl Bronski, 27 September 2016
A minister has let slip that Unifor’s much-trumpeted investment “guarantees” at General Motors Canada—“guarantees” it “won” through further concessions—are not a done deal.
Unifor president jeered by hundreds at Oshawa meeting
GM Canada workers narrowly approve sellout deal
By Carl Bronski, 26 September 2016
Having rammed through a concessionary 4-year “pattern agreement” at GM, Unifor will now try to impose it on workers employed at Ford’s and Fiat-Chrysler’s Canadian operations.
GM autoworkers denounce Unifor at ratification meeting
By our reporters, 26 September 2016
Workers at the ratification vote decried the union’s refusal to release the full contract and its collusion with GM management.
Opposition mounts among GM Canada workers
Unifor refuses to release “contract” before Sunday vote
By Carl Bronski, 23 September 2016
Opposition is growing to Unifor’s attempt to ram through a sell-out deal without even providing the supposed “agreement” to General Motors Canada workers.
Unifor touts collaboration with big business Liberals after blocking strike at GM Canada
By Roger Jordan, 23 September 2016
The mutual backslapping between Unifor and the Liberals over the latest sell-out deal must be taken as a warning by workers.
Demand release of full details and two weeks to vote
Contract “framework” at GM Canada continues attack on autoworkers
By Carl Bronski, 21 September 2016
Unifor is trying to rush through a sell-out agreement before GM Canada workers have a chance to study the full details of the still uncompleted deal.
Unifor blocks strike at GM Canada
By Roger Jordan, 20 September 2016
Past promises of “job security,” along with union-backed concessions, have done nothing to stop the destruction of jobs.
UAW balks at solidarity action as Canadian auto talks continue
By Carl Bronski, 15 September 2016
In remarks to the press, UAW President Dennis Williams refused to commit to any specific solidarity action in the event of a strike by autoworkers in Canada.
For a counteroffensive against the auto bosses!
A socialist-internationalist strategy for Canadian Detroit Three workers
By Socialist Equality Party (Canada), 15 September 2016
To prevent Unifor from sabotaging their struggle, auto workers must build new organizations of struggle, democratically controlled by the rank-and-file.
“It’s our turn to reap some of the rewards of record profits”
Canadian autoworkers overwhelmingly approve strike action
By Carl Bronski, 31 August 2016
Voter turnout at many of the union locals was extremely high, reflecting a determined mood of militancy, but the Unifor union has no intention of waging a serious struggle.
Trudeau given hero’s welcome by Unifor bureaucrats
By Roger Jordan, 27 August 2016
Unifor President Jerry Dias lauded the actions of the pro-austerity, pro-war Trudeau government as “a pinnacle start for working people.”
CUPW blocks strike action; touts plans to boost Canada Post’s profits
By Laurent Lafrance, 27 July 2016
The postal workers’ union is thwarting any job action against Canada Post’s sweeping concession demands and promoting the big business Liberal government’s postal review.
Unifor and Detroit Three use job threats to beat back demands of Canadian autoworkers
By Carl Bronski, 26 July 2016
With labour agreements covering 23,500 Canadian autoworkers expiring on September 19, Unifor and the Big Three are preparing to exchange proposals for a new four-year deal.
Canada Post moves to lock out 50,000 workers
By Roger Jordan, 7 July 2016
While Canada Post is pressing for sweeping concessions, the union, CUPW is seeking to isolate the workers and thwart strike action.
Canada Post preparing to lock out 50,000 workers
By Roger Jordan, 23 June 2016
CUPW’s opposition to a genuine struggle against concessions and in defence of public services is demonstrated by its fulsome praise for the Liberal government and its Canada Post “review.”
Canadian autoworkers face fight against threatened plant closings
By Carl Bronski, 22 June 2016
As in the US, the Detroit automakers and the Canadian unions are using the threat of plant closings to ram through concessionary contracts.
Canadian government tables bill for parliamentary “oversight” of spy agencies
By Roger Jordan, 20 June 2016
The oversight committee will provide a “democratic” fig leaf for Canada’s national security apparatus, which in the name of fighting terrorism has been given police-state powers.
Canada: Unifor prepares to cede further concessions to Detroit Three automakers
By Carl Bronski, 15 June 2016
Faced with company threats to further slash auto production in Canada, Unifor is signaling its readiness to impose concession-filled contracts to fatten shareholder profits.
Canadian economy faces sharpest quarterly contraction since financial crisis
By Roger Jordan, 11 June 2016
The Bank of Canada is warning that housing prices in Toronto and Vancouver are unsustainable.
Canadian prime minister endorses Japanese position on South China Sea ahead of G7 summit
By Roger Jordan, 27 May 2016
Canada is deeply implicated in the US-led “pivot” to Asia, and is determined to deepen economic and security ties with Japan.
Postal workers union hails Liberal government’s Canada Post review
By Roger Jordan, 16 May 2016
The CUPW accepts that Canada Post be run as a profit-making business and have sought to prevent a broader struggle in defence of public services.
Canada’s defence policy review prepares major expansion of militarism and war
By Roger Jordan, 29 April 2016
The review “consultation” document argues Canada should expand its close strategic partnership with the US, the most aggressive imperialist power on the planet.
Canada’s NDP dumps party leader Mulcair
By Roger Jordan, 13 April 2016
The broad support within the NDP for Mulcair’s ouster reflects an awareness that he is too compromised to provide the pro-austerity, pro-war NDP with a “progressive” veneer.
Canada’s Liberals debate aid for Bombardier as it slashes 7,000 jobs
By Roger Jordan, 20 February 2016
The urgency of the bailout talks has intensified following the company’s announcement that it is slashing 7,000 jobs, close to 10 percent of its global workforce.
On what program should workers oppose the sellout agreement in Quebec’s public sector?
By the Socialist Equality Party (Canada), 2 February 2016
Quebec public sector workers face a political struggle. In rejecting the sellout agreement touted by the inter-union Common Front, they will be challenging the austerity program of the entire ruling elite.
Montreal: Labour board upholds draconian suspension of 2,000 city workers
By Laurent Lafrance, 15 January 2016
The victimization of the Montreal blue-collar workers is part of the systematic “illegalization” of worker resistance by governments across Canada.
Police agent-provocateurs exposed at Montreal anti-austerity demonstration
By Carl Bronski, 5 January 2016
The Montreal Police Department is strongly defending the actions of an undercover cop who drew his revolver and threatened protesters who had “outed” him.
Quebec: Common Front unions promote sell-out agreement
By Laurent Lafrance, 24 December 2015
The Common Front leaders are seeking to impose a concessionary agreement that will enshrine the massive cuts the Liberals have made to public services.
Montreal suspends 2,400 workers for participating in an “illegal” meeting
By Laurent Lafrance, 19 December 2015
Montreal’s mayor is accusing workers of “bullying” while his administration is attacking wages, pensions and benefits won through generations of struggle.
Quebec: Wave of walkouts against Liberals’ austerity agenda
By Laurent Lafrance, 12 December 2015
The unions are determined to suppress the growing working class challenge to the Liberals’ assault on public services and workers’ wages and pensions.
Quebec public sector unions cancel three-day strike
By Richard Dufour, 1 December 2015
The cancellation was announced at the same time that the unions presented a “counteroffer” that goes a long way toward meeting the Quebec government’s concession demands.
Unifor prepares Canadian autoworkers for more concessions after UAW sellout deals
By Carl Bronski, 30 November 2015
Declarations that “job security” is the top priority of Unifor officials is coded language intended to convey that the union will attempt to push through more wage and benefit cuts.
Quebec unions silent about plans to illegalize workers’ job action
By Laurent Lafrance, 14 November 2015
Hundreds of thousands of Quebec public sector workers mounted one-day strikes this week to protest against the Liberal government’s attack on public services and working conditions.
Quebec repackages concessionary public-sector contract offer
By a WSWS reporting team, 7 November 2015
The unions have been silent on government plans to illegalize public sector worker job action and impose concessionary contracts by decree.
Unifor union in Canada hails UAW-Fiat Chrysler sellout contract in US
By Carl Bronski, 2 November 2015
Officials are claiming that the contract pushed through at Fiat Chrysler, and a tentative agreement at General Motors, validate “grow-in” concessions contracts forced on Canadian workers.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
27 October 2015
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Quebec public sector workers outraged by Liberal concession demands
By a WSWS reporting team, 5 October 2015
Saturday’s demonstration against the Liberals’ austerity agenda and in support of the public sector workers was 150,000-strong.
US Steel Canada issues ultimatum to end pension payments and health benefits
By Carl Bronski, 3 October 2015
Should an Ontario Superior court not rule in its favor, the steel company has threatened that it will shut down the entirety of its operations in Canada by the end of this year.
Canadian election: Militarism and reaction dominate foreign policy debate
By Roger Jordan and Keith Jones, 30 September 2015
The leaders of Canada’s three main parties used Monday’s foreign policy debate to stake their claim as the most capable and determined defenders of Canadian imperialism.
Strong support from Canadian Fiat Chrysler workers for an international struggle
By Jerry White, 24 August 2015
A campaign team distributed the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter to FCA workers in Brampton, Ontario.
WSWS campaigns for unity of US and Canadian autoworkers
By Jerry White, 22 August 2015
A World Socialist Web Site Autoworkers Newsletter reporting team spoke to workers at the General Motors plant in Ontario about the need for an international strategy for autoworkers to fight for jobs and wages.
US, Mexican and Canadian autoworkers face common fight
By David Brown and Jerry White, 12 August 2015
As talks for a new labor contract continue, the US-based automakers are threatening to shift more production to Mexico and other lower wage countries.
Canada: Unions join Liberals, NDP in “Anybody but Conservative” campaign
By Dylan Lubao and Roger Jordan, 23 July 2015
The collaboration between high-level NDP, Liberal and trade union operatives highlights the preparations for a possible coalition government after this October’s federal election.
Canada: Ontario Liberals orchestrate outlawing of teacher strikes
By Carl Bronski, 28 May 2015
While the government claims it is acting to save students’ school year, its real aim is to push through social spending cuts and impose concessionary contracts on teachers.
Unions reaffirm ties to Parti Québécois as it prepares to anoint arch-right winger
By Laurent Lafrance, 14 May 2015
The installation of Pierre-Karl Péladeau as leader of the Parti Québécois will represent a further rightward lurch on the part of the big business, pro-Quebec independence party.
Canada’s Conservatives pledge more austerity and war
By Keith Jones, 24 April 2015
Tuesday’s federal budget is a blueprint for dismantling public services, redistributing wealth to the most privileged, and expanding the military and national-security apparatus.
Unifor Canada preparing to collaborate in slashing auto workers’ pensions
By Carl Bronski, 21 April 2015
Unifor is willing to surrender the last remnants of a defined-benefit pension plan for newly hired workers at the Big Three automakers in Canada.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
14 April 2015
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Quebec Liberals respond to student anti-austerity strike with repression and threats
By Keith Jones, 26 March 2015
The greatest fear and concern of the Canadian ruling class is that the student protests could trigger an eruption of mass working-class struggle.
Canadian oil workers laid off without warning
By Roger Jordan, 19 March 2015
One thousand oil construction workers were fired from their jobs at a remote site in Alberta last week.
Toronto: University strikers denounce union officials
By Carl Bronski, 12 March 2015
Striking education workers at Toronto’s York University have roundly rejected tentative contracts the union had hailed as “historic.”
Toronto university strikes: OFL head conceals unions’ support for Liberals
By Carl Bronski, 9 March 2015
Ontario Federation of Labour head Sid Ryan masqueraded as an opponent of Ontario’s Liberal government at rallies to support 10,000 workers at Toronto’s two main universities.
Unions demobilize Canadian railway workers
By Carl Bronski, 26 February 2015
Unifor reached a pact with CN Rail late Monday evening under threat of a management lockout of 4,800 safety inspectors and rail maintenance workers and Conservative government intervention.
United Steelworkers reaffirm support for big business Parti Quebecois
By Laurent Lafrance, 25 February 2015
The United Steelworkers union is championing Martine Ouellet’s bid to win the leadership of the Parti Quebecois—a pro-austerity big business party.
Citing government threats, Teamsters suppress Canadian Pacific rail strike
By Carl Bronski, 17 February 2015
The Teamsters union capitulated to the Conservative government’s threat of strikebreaking legislation and ordered an end to the strike little more than 36 hours after it began.
Obama administration intervenes against West Coast dock workers
By Jerry White, 16 February 2015
The White House is intervening entirely on behalf of the shipping and terminal owners and, more generally, the corporate and financial elite in the US.
Harper government to criminalize Canadian Pacific railway strike
By Carl Bronski, 16 February 2015
Canada’s Conservative government is set to introduce legislation today outlawing a two-day-old strike by 3,300 CP Rail workers.
Canadian prime minister praises troops as military clashes escalate in Iraq
By Roger Jordan, 2 February 2015
The growing involvement of Canada’s armed forces in ground combat makes a mockery of the government’s claim that the deployment in Iraq is purely a training and assistance mission.
Target CEO’s “golden parachute” exceeds total severance for 17,600 Canadian workers
By Carl Bronski, 31 January 2015
Steinhafel was forced by Target’s Board of Directors to resign after he had spearheaded the expansion of Target stores into Canada, which turned into a fiasco.
Mass job losses unfold in global oil industry
By Gabriel Black, 26 January 2015
Several major oil service companies announced that they would cut significant sections of their workforce, leading to tens of thousands of new layoffs.
Media magnate Péladeau seeks Parti Québécois leadership
By Laurent Lafrance, 20 January 2015
Presenting himself as the “sovereignty candidate,” Péladeau is focusing his campaign around the claim that independence is the best vehicle for the Quebec ruling class to enrich itself.
Oil price plummet roils Canadian economy
By Dylan Lubao, 31 December 2014
Plummeting oil prices are causing Alberta and several other provinces to initiate new austerity drives and Canadian oil producers to slash investments and jobs.
Social inequality in Canada far higher than official statistics claim
By Laurent Lafrance, 8 December 2014
The share of Canada’s national income going to the top 1 percent is 13.3 percent once private corporation income is included.
Death of 15-year-old exposes growing use of child labour by Canadian employers
By Ashley Tseng, 26 November 2014
The fatality at an Alberta gravel-crushing site has exposed the myth that child labour is a problem only in the developing world.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
18 November 2014
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
11 November 2014
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature
Canada’s government tables bill to expand intelligence agency powers
By Roger Jordan and Keith Jones, 28 October 2014
Canada’s Conservative government tabled legislation yesterday to significantly strengthen the powers of the CSIS.
CLC president helped scuttle BC teachers’ strike
By Carl Bronski, 11 October 2014
Canadian Labour Congress President Hassan Yussuff intervened to shut down the militant strike British Columbia teachers were mounting in defence of public education.
Canada’s government engaged in mass surveillance of protest groups
By Roger Jordan, 8 October 2014
A federal government “emergency response” centre has been systematically collecting information on demonstrations and other protest events.
No to the Quebec Liberals’ Bill 3!
For a working class counteroffensive to defend pensions and public services!
By the Socialist Equality Party (Canada), 24 September 2014
The fight to defend the pensions of Quebec’s municipal workers must become the starting point of a broad working class counteroffensive against the whole ruling class austerity program.
Quebec: Mass protest against gutting of municipal workers’ pensions
By a WSWS reporting team, 23 September 2014
More than 50,000 municipal workers and their supporters marched in Montreal on Saturday.
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