Canada
Bus driver rehired after co-workers wildcat
A driver for Coast Mountain Bus Company near Vancouver who was fired in late June is now back at work after his colleagues took wildcat strike action.
"The employee is back to work. I think both parties realized that this is something that should be resolved between the parties rather than go through the grievance process and through a third party," said Canadian Auto Workers Local 111 president, Don MacLeod.
Prisoner riot reverses smoking ban
A smoking ban at 18 prisons in Quebec was reversed this week after a riot by prisoners.
On Tuesday, smoking was banned both inside and outside of Quebec's 18 prisons. Just before midnight on Thursday, 30-50 prisoners rioted and set fire to a wing at the Orsainville detention centre near Quebec City. This was met by a statement from Public Security Minister Jacques Dupuis the morning after, stating that prisoners would be allowed to smoke outside.
Occupation of Ledco plant ends
Workers at the Ledco tool and die plant in Kitchener, Ontario ended a three day occupation after a judge ruled it illegal.
Workers were locked out on Wednesday after refusing a 25% cut in wages and 20% cut in benefits. Ledco Ltd., which makes parts for GM, Ford and Chrysler, filed for bankruptcy on Thursday evening.
Canada: support workers strike at New Brunswick Community College
500 workers, including lab technicians and canteen, security and cleaning staff, are currently striking over pay.
The workers, members of local 1251 of the public service union have been striking since January 10th; pay negotiations broke down at the end of November and no new negiotiations were scheduled.
Canada: bank workers strike over pay
62 workers at CIBC (Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce) in Sudbury went on strike today.
Workers voted in favour of action by only 52% although pickets were out and observance was high. Picketers attributed the close vote to the time of year. Only one of the five branches in Sudbury was open with managers running a scab service.
Canada: University teachers vote to strike
An overwhelming majority of teachers l'Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQRT) voted in favour of strike action in support of demands for increased staffing and wages.
Over half of UQTR's teachers participated in the vote, only 25% are needed for the vote to count as legitimate. With many teachers on sabbatical or working at other campuses the turnout was considered by the union to be ver encouraging.
Women in the 1919 Winnipeg strike - Fireweed
A brief article from the feminist magazine Fireweed about women in the 1919 general strike in Winnipeg.
"In the coming days women would take their place side by side with men, not as dependents or inferiors but as equals. Thus there would be better relationships based on fundamental love and affinity. This strike was part of the great movement for the emancipation of women.
Canada: Anthropology students end strike
The strike began after the Charest government announced an increase in tuition fees.
The strike was voted on by the student groups involved in ASSÉ (Student Solidarity union association) in protest at the planned increases which would amount to 30% over five years.
Canada: metal-workers strike over pensions and pay
Workers at the mining company QIT Fer et Titane in Quebec hav been on strike for over a month, with no end in sight.
Workers are protesting against the two-tier pension system that the company, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, is trying to impose on new workers. Workers had already accepted a freeze on benefits to allow the company to make up pension shortfalls.
The workers are also demanding a salary increase and there are further non-financial demands.
Rural mail carriers in Alberta wildcat
Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers in northern Alberta, Canada Wildcatted on Monday September 24th. Mail delivery was cut off in Stony Plain, Spruce Grove, Nisku, Edson, Hinton and Delton Depot in Edmonton.
Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers in northern Alberta, Canada Wildcatted on Monday September 24th. Mail delivery was cut off in Stony Plain, Spruce Grove, Nisku, Edson, Hinton and Delton Depot in Edmonton. The strike action was in response to Canada Post offering a select group of employees at two depots in Alberta a 35% raise while bypassing the vast majority of Rural and Suburban Workers.
