Canada’s unions are marking World Press Freedom Day by calling on governments around the world and here at home to do more to protect the rights of journalists to practice their profession without fear of reprisals, violence or even death. “Far too many journalists continue to risk their lives in upholding a basic cornerstone of all democratic societies: press freedom,”…

The Canadian Labour Congress joins the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) in calling on Canada Post to negotiate fair contracts for postal workers. The CLC also joins CUPW in condemning the federal government’s back-to-work legislation. “The right to strike is an integral part of collective bargaining. Without it, an employer has no incentive to bargain in good faith, and…

In 1983, labour and activist organizations alike across the province, including unions, environmental, religious, social justice and women’s rights groups, came together over the course of several weeks through escalating actions in what would effectively become the largest political protest in BC’s history. (Source: BC Labour Heritage Centre) In the spring of 1983, British Columbians re-elected the Social Credit Party, headed by William (Bill)…

On November 10, 1997, Ontario’s teachers returned to work after staging a two-week walkout to protest the radical, anti-democratic changes imposed by the Conservative government of Mike Harris. While the protest failed to stop Bill 160 from becoming law, it was a defeat for Harris and his so-called “common sense revolution” (CSR) in both public opinion and the courts. Mike…

On October 14, 1976 over a million workers walked off the job across Canada as part of a General Strike called by the Canadian Labour Congress to protest the federal government’s plans to impose wage and price control legislation – a broken campaign promise and betrayal of workers by the Trudeau Liberal government. As Canada moved into the 1970s, workers…

On September 29, 1931, coal miners from nearby Bienfait gathered with their families, along with several hundred other miners and their families, to parade through the streets of Estevan in order to draw attention to their strike. The RCMP confronted them, attempting to block and break up the procession, then opened fire on the crowd. Three miners were killed and…

Canada’s unions are pleased with strong counter-measures announced today by the federal government in support of workers in the steel and aluminum sectors. The counter-measures come in direct response to the illegal, unjustified and unwarranted tariffs on steel and aluminum recently imposed by the U.S. “We support the federal government’s counter-tariffs as a retaliation to the American bullying tactics. Trump’s…

Canada’s unions are calling on federal and provincial governments to stand up to U.S. trade aggression and support Canada’s steel and aluminum industries and their workers. U.S. President Trump released his finalized steel and aluminum tariff package today, with temporary exemptions for Canada and Mexico. Despite these exemptions, today’s announcement will mean that Canadian producers will be competing with the excess…

Canada’s unions are calling on federal and provincial governments to vigorously defend Canada’s steel and aluminum industries and their workers. The call comes after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose duties of up to 25% on steel imports, and 10% on aluminum imports. Key details, such as whether fair-trading allies such as Canada will be excluded from duties, have yet…