Protest over new “no strike” law
Quebec City — Blue-collar workers walked off the job for one day last month to protest a new law that strips them of the right to strike in the event of amalgamation. The law gives the provincial government the right to force municipalities to merge and dictates labour relations within the municipalities during that period of transition. The new law orders contracts be negotiated within one year. If no agreement is reached within that time, the law requires workers to give up the right to strike and enter arbitration.
Compensation restored for victims of OC Transpo tragedy
Ottawa — Ontario’s premier restored a compensation promise to the families of four slain Ottawa-Carleton city workers shot and killed by their co-worker, after a provincially appointed amalgamation transition board overturned the deal. The board was appointed to oversee the merger of 11 Ottawa-area municipalities. Premier Mike Harris vetoed the decision of the unelected body less than a week after they decided to strip the families of compensation packages. Last April, a disgruntled OC Transpo employee gunned down four city-workers in a bus garage. The man then killed himself. Ottawa-Carleton regional council voted to offer the families of the victims approximately $100,000. At the end of the political roller coaster, union leaders representing the 2,000 Ottawa-Carleton transit employees say it finally brings some closure to the deadly tragedy. “The healing is ongoing and it’s going to take a while. It will take a generation of workers before this is really closed,” says Denis Grandmaitre, treasurer of the Amalgamated Transit Union.
Preparing for the national teacher shortage
Winnipeg — Manitoba may be offering signing bonuses for teachers to fill an imminent national shortage of qualified teachers after a wave of retirements, especially in the areas of math and sciences. They may also introduce a fast-track diploma program to turn out candidates quickly. A survey by the Canadian Teachers Federation reports that more than two-thirds of school boards will have trouble finding teachers next fall. Teachers with science, math, technology and speech therapy backgrounds will be in high demand.
Virtual U of Canada
Ottawa — Canada will soon add a university with no classrooms, no student dormitories and no line-ups. Seven “real” Canadian universities, including the University of Manitoba, University of Victoria, Laurentian University, Brandon University, Royal Roads University, B.C. Open University and Athabasca University, have joined together to create the Canadian Virtual University-Universite Virtuelle Canadienne. Students will register with one of the seven schools and take courses offered by all seven. Degrees will be granted by the home institution.
Benefits Extended to Same-sex Partners
Atlanta, Ga. — Same-sex partners at Delta Air Lines will immediately be entitled to receive bereavement leave and family medical leave. Beginning next July, the Atlanta-based organization will offer medical, dental, optional life insurance, short-term disability, accidental death and disability and other benefits to 74,000 employees.
