By Emile Schepers, People’s World A massive one‑day general strike paralysed Portugal on November 24, as major labour federations united to denounce austerity measures being imposed by the Socialist Party (social democrat) Prime Minister, Jose Socrates. The unions claim the strike was 80 percent effective. Media reported complete shutdowns in many areas of airlines, public [...]
Category Archives: Labour
Is There a “Global Strike Wave”?
January 1 11
Data compiled by independent labour researchers indicates that there may be a significant increase in the numbers of workers involved in mass strikes across the globe. One interesting list was circulated recently by Peter Hall-Jones of the New Unionism Network. Hall-Jones points out that a huge strike wave involving up to 100,000,000 workers across India [...]
“Unite in Solidarity with Steelworkers in Hamilton”
January 1 11
Resolution adopted by the Central Committee, Communist Party of Canada, Nov. 28, 2010 The lockout of 900 Steelworkers in Hamilton, which began on Nov. 7, is much more than a local struggle. U.S. Steel wants to shut down production in Hamilton, and seeks to force USW Local 1005 members and 9,000 retirees to switch to [...]
Billboard Campaign for Locked-out Steelworkers
January 1 11
Locked out workers at Hamilton’s US Steel plant are wasting no time getting their message out: the issue with US Steel is about Canadian control of the economy, a Canadian steel industry, and the rights and dignity of labour to decent living standards and quality of life for workers and retirees. USW Local 1005 is [...]
Fed Moves to Biennial Conventions
January 1 11
By Sam Hammond The British Columbia Federation of Labour Convention from Nov. 29-Dec. 3 was the swan song of the annual conventions that have been traditional in BC. The BC Fed changed its constitution to move to a convention every two years. This was done with the passing of a composite resolution that also added [...]
BC Fed Delegates Face Critical Issues
December 1 10
PV Vancouver Bureau Delegates to the 54th annual convention of the B.C. Federation of Labour will start their work on Nov. 29, with a contest for a top executive position on the agenda. A year ago, President Jim Sinclair opened the 53rd convention with a powerful speech that articulated the attack on working people. Pinning [...]
Locked Out Steelworkers Head to Ottawa
December 1 10
By Liz Rowley A busload of Hamilton’s locked out steelworkers went to Ottawa Nov. 15 to press Local 1005 USW’s demand that the federal court grant the union intervenor status in the case of the Attorney General vs US Steel. They also met with Tory MP David Sweet, Chair of Parliament’s All‑Party Steel Caucus and of [...]
US Steel Locks Out 900 Workers, 9000 Pensioners
November 16 10
On November 7th at 7 pm, US Steel locked out the 900 working members and 9,000 retirees of Local 1005, United Steelworkers in Hamilton, after the Local leadership refused to put the company’s “final offer” to union members.
Saskatchewan Labour Takes Aim at Wall Government
November 16 10
The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour will be mobilizing over the next year to defeat the reactionary policies of Premier Brad Wall. That was the firm verdict of delegates at the SFL’s annual convention, held in Regina, October 27‑30.