Menu

Strike

Confederation College strike Sept 2025

NDP makes another push for legislation protecting striking employees

,

The provincial NDP is calling on the Ford government to support legislation that would make it illegal for companies and organizations to hire replacement workers during a strike.

A proposed bill was reintroduced at Queen’s Park last week.

Ontario had legislation in place before former Premier Mike Harris repealed the law shortly after taking office in 1995.

NDP Labour Critic Jamie West says he has seen the impact of that decision when he was working for a company that went on strike.

“And during that time, for the first time in my company’s 50-year history, we had scab replacement workers cross the picket line,” says West.

“I saw firsthand how it artificially lengthens the length of a strike. It makes it more difficult. And with the hindsight of after the strike ending, looking back, I saw how it exploits vulnerable workers who are desperate to make money.”

Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates, who was a former labour leader, concurs.

“When you see that bus pull up, full of workers, replacement workers, anti-scab workers, and your heart sinks,” says Gates.

“And now it becomes a set of confrontation, not just between the employer and the union and their members. It becomes a constant fight between replacement workers, anti-SCAB, and the police. The whole process becomes off the rails.”

The NDP notes federal legislation has been in place since 2004.

Quebec and British Columbia have provincial laws that are nearly half a century old.

“It’s time for Mr. Ford and his government to say, yes, we want to protect workers, yes, we want to protect our communities, yes, we want to have a more just society,” says West.

The NDP’s proposal awaits second reading.

MEADOWS JPEG

Long-term care homes prepare to strike after talks fail

, ,

Long-term care workers at more than 30 nursing homes across the province are preparing to go on strike after talks with the province failed.

In a statement, Tuesday, CUPE said no deal was reached during their final day of conciliation.

“This does not mean we are going on strike [Wednesday], it does however mean we must finalize the preparation we began the past few months,” said CUPE.

The union says it is now “more important than ever” that strike and essential services committees are in place and “fully operational”.

Key sticking points are better wages and improved recruitment and retention.

It comes one day after 20 facilities walked off the job for information pickets.

In a news release, Coordinator Tammy Martin said she is disappointed but not surprised.

“At every turn this government has forced us to sign the same deal, and this time was no different,” says Martin. “For the fifth time they presented us with essentially the same deal and expected us to take it. Like every time before, we said no. Our members deserve better.”

Meanwhile, Seniors and Long-Term Care minister Barbara Adams assured last month that plans are in place in case of a disruption.

“Those essential services are going to be maintained across every nursing home in the province. That’s a commitment that all long-term care facilities make, and we’re working closely with them,” said Adams after a February Cabinet meeting.

She adds they’ll make sure residents at the homes are getting the care they need.

-with files from Kevin Northup 

Studley Quad

Students call for lower tuition, divestment at Dal rally

, , ,

University and college students are planning to rally at Dalhousie University Wednesday afternoon over tuition fees, the province’s recent budget cuts, and to call on schools to divest from weapons and fossil fuel companies.

Four student unions recently voted to go on strike by skipping assignments and class from March 15th to 21st.

Our newsroom spoke to Q Pritchett, who said they planned to participate.

“I found it very frustrating that in the beginning of the last semester, the teachers were locked out, and for a few weeks, we couldn’t even go to classes, but we were still paying for it, and a lot of our classes, as a result, were really cramped in terms of content,” says Pritchett.

Pritchett also says they were disappointed to see the province’s budget cuts for universities and students.

A group of students, called Nova Scotia Student Strike, put together the petition for the strike, which had more than the required 1 per cent of students sign it, according to the Dalhousie Student Union. That prompted them to call a Special General Meeting, they say, where the union then voted in favour of strike action.

Students are calling for affordable tuition and for the university to move its investments away from fossil fuel and weapons companies.

Laura Earl is a fourth-year neuroscience and entrepreneurship student. She says tuition is already high enough.

“So I would love to see that come back down, and especially [because], moving into residence and across country is already a bit of a charge,” says Earl.

She says she is also frustrated that tuition was not reduced after the weeks-long teacher strike in the fall.

Laura Earl, fourth-year student at Dalhousie University, says tuition is high enough already. Pictured March 16, 2026. PHOTO BY JACOB MOORE/ACADIA BROADCASTING

The Dalhousie Students Union says they do not have a way to mandate that students walk out of class, according to a statement.

And it is hard to gage how many people are participating, according to DSU President Maren Mealey, especially because she has not been to any classes to see the attendance.

But from what she has seen outside of classes, more people are striking than she initially anticipated, and the food provider at the university also said enough students were staying home that their sales are down.

“It shows that there is a lot of unity across the province that the status quo is unacceptable,” says Mealey.

PXL_20260304_164714317~2

University reps say post-secondary student’s want answers, not excuses

, , , , , , , ,

Student union leaders say they “were met with excuses” instead of real solutions when discussing strike repercussions during their latest meeting with the Department of Education.

In a statement online, Alexina St. Pierre-Farrow, chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students–Nova Scotia (CFS-NS), says the response received from government officials has only added fuel to student anger as they gear up for what organizers call Nova Scotia’s first province-wide university strike March 15 – 21 over deep budget cuts.​​

Specifically addressing Advanced Education Minister Brendan Maguire in her letter, stating “no more excuses”, St. Pierre-Farrow condemns post-secondary funding reductions and demands answers on supports for Indigenous learners and grant-reliant students. It follows a student-led press conference with other Halifax university representatives held on February 26.​

They say the walkout next week will involve campuses like Dalhousie, Saint Mary’s, NSCAD, King’s, and Acadia.​

Students are reviving Quebec’s iconic red square strike symbolism. PHOTO BY NATALIE CHIASSON /Acadia Broadcasting

Students say they’re already “squarely in the red” from high tuition, rents, and job scarcity, plus cuts to key financial aids. Representatives are calling for a 20 per cent tuition cut, equal fees for international and domestic students, and protection for programs serving marginalized groups.​

Organizers say the goal of their protests are to tell the Houston government that students “need tangible, meaningful action, and they need it now.”​ They plan to join the thousands taking part in ongoing arts and culture rallies across the province tomorrow outside Province House, while their strike remains scheduled to begin on Sunday.

PXL_20260305_153440084.PORTRAIT

NSCAD strikes, union says wages have not increased since 1984

, , , , , , ,

Staff at NSCAD University are on the picket lines this week, striking for fair wages and job security. The move comes nearly two years after employees became certified with CUPE Local 3912 and began bargaining for their first contract.

CUPE and NSCAD staff strike. PHOTO BY NATALIE CHIASSON /Acadia Broadcasting

Union representative Lachlan Sheldrick said NSCAD built its strong reputation in the Maritimes during the 1980s and 1990s, when staff were well compensated. But that reputation hasn’t kept up with time.

“And that pay has not gone up for our members, for our teaching assistants, and research assistants. That pay has not gone up since 1984. So people here today are making the same money that their parents might have been making had they been here 40 years ago,” Sheldrick explained.

CUPE and NSCAD staff strike. PHOTO BY NATALIE CHIASSON /Acadia Broadcasting

Staff began striking outside NSCAD’s downtown Halifax campus on Duke Street on Wednesday and continued picketing today despite the cold.

Union president Lauren McKenzie smiled as she told our reporter that she’s proud to stand with the workers.

“I’m not willing to stand aside and let these folks sort of wither in these poor work conditions that NSCAD has set for them, because we see how valuable they are,” McKenzie glowed.

CUPE President Lauren McKenzie talking with passerby about the strike on Duke Street. PHOTO BY NATALIE CHIASSON /Acadia Broadcasting

This is the third time within recent months that CUPE members at post-secondary institutions took job action in Halifax.

Dalhousie, Mount Saint Vincent, and Saint Mary’s all accepted agreements with part-time staff in the fall of 2025.

Community Living Dryden-Sioiux Lookout

Strike vote taken by Community Living Dryden-Sioux Lookout employees

, ,

Contract talks between Unifor and Community Living Dryden-Sioux Lookout are scheduled to resume next week.

A conciliator will be involved.

The organization’s 120 employees have been working without a new contract since last August.

The two sides attempted to discuss an new agreement last fall, but talks broke down in November with wages the key stumbling point.

The union says the organizations is offering lump-sum payments in lieu of a general wage increase for some years.

“For anyone to be offered a zero with the kind of inflation we’ve experienced is absolutely unacceptable,” states Katrina Peterson, Unifor Local 324 President, in a release.

“Inflation has risen almost 19% over the last 5 years and as a result, Unifor has successfully negotiated fair wage increases with several healthcare and social services agencies across the region.”

“I would say this employer has been fair in the past, but seriously, you can’t say you care about your staff while watching their pay cheques get stretched thinner year after year and then offer them token wage increases and even wage freezes, ” adds Peterson.

Seniority and safety concerns related to forced overtime shifts are other key issues.

Employees voted this week 100% in favour of strike action to back contract demands.

Stephen Boon, Unifor’s Northern Area Director says they are still committed to working towards a negotiated settlement.

“Our memberships have expressed solid support for their bargaining committees, and we informed them we will continue to work to achieve fair deals in an attempt to minimize any disruptions to the people they are committed to serve,” says Boon.

He adds that if conciliation fails to produce an agreements, mediated talks are still possible.

“However, failing that, our memberships will begin preparations for potential strike action as early as next month,” states Boon.

Renee Good memorial in Minnesota Jan 19 2026

Statewide strike encouraged in Minnesota

By Mike Moen – Producer /Minnesota News Connection

With federal immigration agents showing no signs of leaving Minnesota, labour organizers want to display a large sense of solidarity in condemning ICE enforcement.

Major union partners are part of a push for a statewide strike planned for January 23rd.

Billed as a “Day of Truth and Freedom,” a delegation of labour offices calls on people around the state to – if they can – stay home from work or school on Friday, and not shop, either.

Mirroring what community voices are saying, union leaders say people in targeted neighbourhoods, including workers, are already forced into hiding regardless of their immigration status.

Chelsie Glaubitz Gabiou, president of the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation AFL-CIO, hopes fellow residents take a stand.

“We need everyone to pay attention,” Glaubitz Gabiou emphasized.

“We think that on January 23rd, if we all stand together in solidarity and mass mobilization, we can get the attention of the folks who need to step in and make this chaos stop.”

Federal officials, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, appeared on weekend national talk shows to defend ICE activity in Minnesota.

But this month’s fatal shooting of Renee Good, along with social media videos showing aggressive ICE enforcement, is leading to more calls for the operation to end.

Glaubitz Gabiou notes they hope to send a message to all political leaders and notable businesses with influence.

Retail chains like Target face scrutiny for not being as vocal, even with some workers being detained while on the job.

Glaubitz Gabiou argues business leaders should not worry about retaliation from the Trump administration.

“Even our best and brightest business community leaders, who have invested in our community for so long, are a part of this pawn game that Trump is playing,” Glaubitz Gabiou contended.

While they are appealing to all elected officials, unions decry the federal government for reportedly investigating Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. Officials claim Walz and Frey are impeding the operation with their criticism of ICE activity.

Glaubitz Gabiou countered that false labels are being applied to the pushback, saying the reality is people are buying whistles to alert their neighbours and film ICE arrests with their phones, noting it is rooted in peace, love and determination.

“It is true grit of the folks that are showing up,” Glaubitz Gabiou stressed. “The people who live in these neighbourhoods – these are not paid protesters. We cannot understate enough the amount of community support and neighbourhood support that has been built.”

An airplane is flying over a mountain range

Porter Airlines dispatchers vote strike after stalled talks

,

Porter Airlines Flight Dispatchers have voted to strike.

The Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association says all 35 members supported the move after more than 14 months of negotiations failed to secure a first contract.

Dispatchers joined CALDA in August 2024, seeking an agreement that recognizes their role in aviation operations.

The union says Porter has begun training non‑union staff as possible replacements, calling the move unsafe and disrespectful to both employees and passengers.

“These are certified aviation professionals whose expertise directly impacts the safety of every flight. They deserve a contract that reflects the value of their work,” said Rob King, CALDA’s national president.

Talks remain in conciliation with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. CALDA says Porter has refused to engage on key issues needed to reach a fair deal.

“This strike vote reflects the deep frustration and disappointment felt by members,” the union said in a statement.

CALDA added it remains committed to negotiations and urged Porter Airlines to resolve outstanding issues to avoid service disruptions in the new year.

College workers strike Thunder Bay

College workers reach tentative deal to end strike

, , ,

College support workers will soon return to work after a strike that lasted more than a month.

About 10,000 workers walked off the job Sept. 11 to call for better wages and job security.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union said Wednesday morning they had reached a tentative agreement with the College Employer Council (CEC).

When the union went on strike in September, the CEC was calling on them to withdraw their request to ban college mergers and staff reductions. The CEC said they needed those options due to low enrollment and other financial pressures.

Among several demands, the OPSEU was calling for wage increases of 4 per cent per year.

Union members will vote whether to ratify the agreement, and in the meantime, workers are set to return to the job Thursday morning.

Canada Post Office in Halifax

Canada Post says most workers returning but expect more delays

, , , ,

Some Canada Post workers have returned to the job, but more delays are possible due to rotating strikes, meaning workers in select location are on strike temporarily until the strike moves to another location.

The postal service is ramping up its operations after the national strike ended, but mail will not be delivered and packages will not be accepted in places affected by the rotating strike.

As of Tuesday, workers were on strike in:

  • Dawson Creek, B.C.
  • Fort St. John, B.C.
  • St. Anthony, N.L.

Another strike in Timmins, Ont., has ended, the release said.

Operations will resume as quickly as possible once the strike rotates to another location, but they cannot guarantee reliable service, so customers should expect delays with shipping.

Canada Post says they are still waiting for a response to their offer presented on Oct. 3.

They say the offer treats employees fairly and considers the financial needs of the corporation.

However, Juanita MacInnis, president of the Port Hawkesbury Local, told our newsroom that it isn’t entirely true the postal service sent another offer. She says they sent the same one already.

“They are lying. They left the table. You can’t negotiate if you left the table,” said MacInnis.

She added that she thinks Canada Post just expects the union to decline the offer.

Load More