Wage Rage: Strike looms as union representing MPI employees rejects wage offer
Winnipeg, Manitoba — Manitoba’s public employees could be the next workforce to take its place on the picket line, as an impasse between the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU) and MPI could see the crown insurer shuttered for the time being. The MGEU published a statement last Friday in response to wage increases […]
No Deal at the Docks: Vancouver port strike resumes as union rejects four-year wage proposal
Vancouver, British Columbia — Dockworkers in Vancouver are back on the picket line following the rejection of a four-year wage proposal set forth by the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association on Tuesday. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which represents the workers at Canada’s largest port, voted down the terms set by the BCMEA. […]
Deadline at the Docks: Labour minister sets deadline for Vancouver port strike settlement
Vancouver, British Columbia — Minister of Labour Seamus O’Regan was on the scene of the strike at the Port of Vancouver Tuesday, where he issued a deadline to a federal mediator to reach a settlement with the port workers within 24 hours. With this invocation of O’Regan’s statutory powers under the Canadian Labour Code, a […]
Yearly Review: AIA Canada releases Outlook Study 2022 covering past year’s aftermarket trends
Toronto, Ontario — As the calendar winds down toward the close of 2022, the Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA) is looking on the past year with the release of the association’s Outlook Study 2022, now available to AIA members. The association’s findings for the past year show that despite the aftermarket’s “strong recovery” in […]
Making Efficiency Easier: OEConnection’s Nicky Woerner talks shop processes, top-down and bottom-up
Quebec City, Quebec — Running an auto body repair centre is busy work and every manager wants things to run smoother, but who has the time to make plans? Luckily, Nicky Woerner, director of the Richfield, Ohio-based OEConnection, has the skills and the experience to get your business running like clockwork. A 27 year auto […]
Who is Al Berta?: ‘Alberta is Calling’ campaign aims to draw skilled trades talent to the province
Edmonton, Alberta — Falling in step with similar projects launched in Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan, the government of Alberta unveiled the “Alberta is Calling” campaign on Monday, which aims to sell the province as the place to be for Canada’s skilled trades workers. Operating within the Toronto and Vancouver markets, the campaign is intended to […]
Buddy System: Nova Scotia journeypeople now able to train two apprentices at a time
Halifax, Nova Scotia — Repair facility owners in Nova Scotia are able to bring in an extra set of hands to help out thanks to a recent amendment to the province’s apprenticeship regulations aimed at meeting demand for skilled trades. Where previously apprenticeship training was intended to be a one-on-one experience between an apprentice and […]
Uniting Unifor: Several candidates step up in race for national Unifor presidency
Toronto, Ontario — Following the unceremonious departure of Unifor president Jerry Dias from his role in March, several candidates have emerged as frontrunners in the race to fill the highly-influential role. Unifor Local 444 president David Cassidy, Unifor’s national secretary-treasurer Lana Payne and Dias’ executive assistant Scott Doherty are currently slated as candidates for the […]
Union Upheaval: Jerry Dias retires as Unifor president amid health concerns
Toronto, Ontario — The Canadian auto industry bid farewell to a long-time labour advocate on Wednesday, as Unifor National president Jerry Dias announced his retirement amid ongoing personal health concerns. Unifor’s National Executive Board was contacted by Dias on Friday, informing them of his immediate retirement. He had been on medical leave since Feb. 6. […]
In For a Penny: U.S. Department of Labor files complaint against Georgia shop that paid pennies to ex-employee
Peachtree City, Georgia — The tale of a Georgia auto repair technician paid in pennies has drawn the ire of the U.S. Department of Labor, who has launched a suit against A OK Walker Autoworks for discrimination. One may recall reports that circulated in March of a technician who, upon request of his final paycheque […]
