Labour

Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE), Sheri Meyerhoffer, holds a news conference in Ottawa on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. Canada’s corporate-ethics watchdog has announced an investigation into whether Walmart, Hugo Boss and Diesel have forced labour in their supply chains. Sheri Meyerhoffer, who is the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise, issued three reports Thursday that say each company hasn’t done enough to demonstrate the products they sell in Canada are free of slave labour. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Canadian ethics czar opens forced-labour probes against 3 big companies

Walmart, Hugo Boss, Diesel need to demonstrate products are free of slave labour: Ombudsperson

Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE), Sheri Meyerhoffer, holds a news conference in Ottawa on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. Canada’s corporate-ethics watchdog has announced an investigation into whether Walmart, Hugo Boss and Diesel have forced labour in their supply chains. Sheri Meyerhoffer, who is the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise, issued three reports Thursday that say each company hasn’t done enough to demonstrate the products they sell in Canada are free of slave labour. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Kerry Washington, left, and Joshua Malina attend a Day of Solidarity union rally on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023, at Disney Studios in Burbank, Calif. The event includes members of SAG-AFTRA, the WGA and the AFL-CIO. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Screen politicos shout for solidarity with Hollywood strikers outside Disney

Kerry Washington, Martin Sheen among those rallying as actors strike moves into second month

Kerry Washington, left, and Joshua Malina attend a Day of Solidarity union rally on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023, at Disney Studios in Burbank, Calif. The event includes members of SAG-AFTRA, the WGA and the AFL-CIO. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
It was truly special to see members of the Sangha family gather with much pride around the plaque that will forever honour Darshan Singh Sangha in front of the Kaatza Station Museum on Aug. 15. Sangha played an active role in organizing workers in the I.W.A. from 1941 to 1947, and combating the racism that was both present in the workplace and community during that time. (Chadd Cawson/Gazette)

Plaque honouring pioneer labour leader unveiled in Lake Cowichan

I.W.A. member Darshan Singh Sangha combatted racism in both the work place and his community

It was truly special to see members of the Sangha family gather with much pride around the plaque that will forever honour Darshan Singh Sangha in front of the Kaatza Station Museum on Aug. 15. Sangha played an active role in organizing workers in the I.W.A. from 1941 to 1947, and combating the racism that was both present in the workplace and community during that time. (Chadd Cawson/Gazette)
Midwife Terah Leah cuts the umbilical cord of a child of after a home birth. File photo courtesy Foothills Midwifery

New deal for B.C. midwives increases wages, provides Indigenous support

Midwives Association of British Columbia voted 99 per cent support for the agreement

Midwife Terah Leah cuts the umbilical cord of a child of after a home birth. File photo courtesy Foothills Midwifery
This image provided by Andrea Pezzillo shows Pezzillo, a hair stylist and men’s groomer, on Aug. 1, 2023, in Los Angeles. She is among hundreds of ancillary workers in the entertainment industry impacted by the Hollywood strikes. (Andrea Pezzillo via AP).

How the Hollywood strikes have affected celebrity glam squads

Hair, makeup and nail stylists idled by entertainment labour wars on heels of pandemic struggle

This image provided by Andrea Pezzillo shows Pezzillo, a hair stylist and men’s groomer, on Aug. 1, 2023, in Los Angeles. She is among hundreds of ancillary workers in the entertainment industry impacted by the Hollywood strikes. (Andrea Pezzillo via AP).
Gantry cranes sit idle as a container ship is docked at port during a work stoppage, in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan is launching an examination of the recently resolved British Columbia port dispute to see if “structural issues” in negotiations led to a 13-day work stoppage. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Minister launches review of B.C. port strike looking for ‘structural issues’

Goal: ‘harmonious working environment’ between unions and employers in future collective bargaining

Gantry cranes sit idle as a container ship is docked at port during a work stoppage, in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan is launching an examination of the recently resolved British Columbia port dispute to see if “structural issues” in negotiations led to a 13-day work stoppage. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A transport truck carries a cargo container to the Centerm Container Terminal at port in Vancouver on Friday, July 14, 2023. The Canada Industrial Relations Board has released the new terms of the agreement that resolved British Columbia's port dispute, including a commitment by employers to train workers to perform maintenance on new equipment. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Longshore workers get 5, 5, 4 and 4% wage hikes in new 4-year port deal

Terms of new contract that resolved British Columbia port dispute released

A transport truck carries a cargo container to the Centerm Container Terminal at port in Vancouver on Friday, July 14, 2023. The Canada Industrial Relations Board has released the new terms of the agreement that resolved British Columbia's port dispute, including a commitment by employers to train workers to perform maintenance on new equipment. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Workers of app-based platforms could receive a higher mininum wage than other workers, but only when engaged. (Black Press Media file photo)

App-based workers could earn higher minimum wage in B.C., but only sometimes

New provincial discussion paper open for public feedback until Sept. 30

Workers of app-based platforms could receive a higher mininum wage than other workers, but only when engaged. (Black Press Media file photo)
Striking International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers march to a rally as gantry cranes used to load and unload cargo containers from ships sit idle at port in Vancouver on Thursday, July 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Business groups want labour changes after end of B.C. port dispute

Lobby argues Ottawa must take steps to ensure such a disruption never happens again

Striking International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers march to a rally as gantry cranes used to load and unload cargo containers from ships sit idle at port in Vancouver on Thursday, July 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Gantry cranes sit idle as a container ship is docked at port during a work stoppage, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Voting among British Columbia port workers on a new agreement with employers is scheduled to conclude today, with the result deciding whether the months-long labour dispute will end or continue. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Researcher warns against intervention as B.C. port workers vote concludes

International Longshore and Warehouse Union cast ballots on new contract Thursday and Friday

Gantry cranes sit idle as a container ship is docked at port during a work stoppage, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Voting among British Columbia port workers on a new agreement with employers is scheduled to conclude today, with the result deciding whether the months-long labour dispute will end or continue. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Workers attend a strike rally in Vancouver on Sunday, July 9, 2023. Workers in the ongoing British Columbia port dispute are taking a full-union vote to determine if the latest deal recommended by negotiators is acceptable, with the possible end to the months-long conflict in the balance. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Union vote begins on B.C. port deal that could end months-long dispute

International Longshore and Warehouse Union members vote from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and tomorrow

Workers attend a strike rally in Vancouver on Sunday, July 9, 2023. Workers in the ongoing British Columbia port dispute are taking a full-union vote to determine if the latest deal recommended by negotiators is acceptable, with the possible end to the months-long conflict in the balance. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Willie Adams, international president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, speaks at a strike rally in Vancouver on Sunday, July 9, 2023. Labour observers are urging caution ahead of a union vote that could end the long-running B.C. port dispute this week, saying there’s a history of union members rejecting deals struck at the negotiating table. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

B.C. port union to brief workers on new collective deal ahead of crucial vote

Longshore union negotiators will brief workers about a new tentative collective agreement…

Willie Adams, international president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, speaks at a strike rally in Vancouver on Sunday, July 9, 2023. Labour observers are urging caution ahead of a union vote that could end the long-running B.C. port dispute this week, saying there’s a history of union members rejecting deals struck at the negotiating table. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
A transport truck carries cargo containers from the Centerm Container Terminal at port in Vancouver, on Friday, July 14, 2023. British Columbia port workers are back on the job after a tentative agreement was reached between the employers association and the workers union, ending a 13-day-old strike. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Labour experts urge caution ahead of union vote to end B.C. port dispute

History exists of union members rejecting deals struck at the negotiating table

A transport truck carries cargo containers from the Centerm Container Terminal at port in Vancouver, on Friday, July 14, 2023. British Columbia port workers are back on the job after a tentative agreement was reached between the employers association and the workers union, ending a 13-day-old strike. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Gantry cranes sit idle as a container ship is docked at port during a work stoppage, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Industrial board warns union bosses not to backtrack on new B.C. port deal

ILWU Canada must hold a ratification vote on the deal no later than Friday

Gantry cranes sit idle as a container ship is docked at port during a work stoppage, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A striking port worker from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada views the large gathering attending a rally in Vancouver, on Sunday, July 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

New tentative deal is reached in B.C. port workers dispute

Joint statement late Sunday says deal reached with help from Canada Industrial Relations Board

A striking port worker from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada views the large gathering attending a rally in Vancouver, on Sunday, July 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
FILE - This Sept. 22, 2019 file photo shows a view of the stage at the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards has been postponed due the the ongoing actors and writers strikes that essentially shut down Hollywood. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

Emmy Awards are postponed due to the Hollywood actors and writers strike

Person familiar with plans but not authorized to speak publicly said official announcement pending

FILE - This Sept. 22, 2019 file photo shows a view of the stage at the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards has been postponed due the the ongoing actors and writers strikes that essentially shut down Hollywood. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
A Canadian Pacific Railway locomotive is shown at the main CP Rail train yard in Toronto on Monday, March 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

B.C. port strike cost CPKC railway $80 million, exec says

Strike earlier this month halted operations at most ports along Canada’s West Coast

A Canadian Pacific Railway locomotive is shown at the main CP Rail train yard in Toronto on Monday, March 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Striking International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers walk a picket line on a road leading to Deltaport, in Delta, B.C., on Friday, July 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. port workers mull contract offer as expert warns of more labour strife

Inflation, workplace flexibility, may be changing the labour movement’s views on strike action

Striking International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers walk a picket line on a road leading to Deltaport, in Delta, B.C., on Friday, July 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Actor Christian Slater speaks during the SAG-AFTRA “Rock the City for a Fair Contract” rally in Times Square on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in New York. The actors strike comes more than two months after screenwriters began striking in their bid to get better pay and working conditions. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Star-studded Times Square rally held for striking actors and writers

Bryan Cranston, Jessica Chastain join many others as union reps took turns giving fiery speeches

Actor Christian Slater speaks during the SAG-AFTRA “Rock the City for a Fair Contract” rally in Times Square on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in New York. The actors strike comes more than two months after screenwriters began striking in their bid to get better pay and working conditions. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Striking International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers march to a rally as gantry cranes used to load and unload cargo containers from ships sit idle at port in Vancouver on Thursday, July 6, 2023. Thousands of workers at British Columbia’s ports will take off the day shift today to learn the details of an agreement struck between their union and employers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. port workers get eyes on contract offer from maritime employers

International Longshore and Warehouse Union members expected to vote on the offer later this week

Striking International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers march to a rally as gantry cranes used to load and unload cargo containers from ships sit idle at port in Vancouver on Thursday, July 6, 2023. Thousands of workers at British Columbia’s ports will take off the day shift today to learn the details of an agreement struck between their union and employers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck