News briefs

HR certification goes international • One in five worry about job loss • Security checks challenged • Alberta streamlines OH&S • Telus sues over union badmouthing • Workers' comp recognizes firefighting hazards

HR certification goes international

Edmonton
— The Canadian wing of the International Personnel Management Association (IPMA), which draws the majority of its members from government HR departments, has signed an agreement with its American counterpart to offer an international HR certification. IPMA Canada has had a national certification for more than a decade. For more information on the arrangement visit www.ipma-aigp.ca.

One in five worry about job loss

Toronto
— About 20 per cent of more than 500 Canadians responding to an international survey say they could lose their job in the next year. The poll by Right Management Consultants surveyed full-time workers in 17 countries. Americans and Brits were more concerned with job loss, with one in four stating they’re likely to lose their jobs.

Security checks challenged

Toronto
— Lawyers representing Ontario public servants say they will challenge new security measures the province is implementing in response to document counterfeiting by terrorists. Public servants who process birth certificates, medicare cards and drivers’ licences will be fingerprinted, checked for criminal records and have credit records examined. Opposition party critics are calling it “overkill.”

Alberta streamlines OH&S

Edmonton
— Alberta has folded 11 occupational health and safety regulations into a single regulation in an effort to make the rules easier to understand and faster to update. New administrative requirements, which include applications for permits and certificates, posting of orders and notices and availability of documents, came into effect March 31. “This new regulation will give employers one set of rules to follow on administrative matters. The next stage will be replacing the existing 11 safety regulations with a new OHS code that will make safety requirements simpler to understand and quicker to update,” said Clint Dunford, Alberta’s Human Resources and Employment Minister. For more information see www.worksafely.org.

Telus sues over union badmouthing

Vancouver
— Telus Corp. has filed suit against the Telecommunications Workers Union alleging civil conspiracy, defamation and injury. The union, without a contract since 2000, has questioned the compensation and acquisition strategy of Telus CEO Darren Entwistle, as well as the quality of the phone company’s service. The suit alleges the union is conspiring to have Entwistle fired and is damaging share prices.

Workers’ comp recognizes firefighting hazards

Halifax
— Firefighters in Nova Scotia who contract certain types of cancers will be eligible to collect workers’ compensation benefits. According to the government, the incidence of cancer is three times higher for firefighters than the normal population. The increased incidence has been linked to exposure to plastics and chemical-based products common in buildings. The new legislation will supplement wages, provide medical care and cover medical expenses and can include a pension of up to $41,800. Manitoba and Alberta have similar legislation.

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