
HOW NOT TO OPPOSE FREE TRADE WITH CHINA
by Gerard Di Trolio
As Donald Trump’s blustering over NAFTA over the past several months has given way to negotiations, an important story has not picked up much attention.
Three rounds of exploratory talks for a free trade agreement (FTA) between Canada and China have taken place with the most recent round happening in Ottawa this past July. Canada has also signaled its interest in signing a FTA with Mercosur which is a South American trade bloc that counts Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay as members. Read more!
On August 23, the more than 700 members of Teamsters Local 419 voted over 98% to reject the latest contract offer by the multinational Swissport. These brave union members, many of whom are workers of colour, newcomers, and – certainly among cabin cleaners – women, have been on strike since July 27. These men and women provide crucial services to more than 30 airlines and are essential to the safe and efficient operation of flight service at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, Canada’s largest workplace. Read more!
By Bob Barnetson
Last week, the so-called Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation (CTF) released StatCan data about the number of days of illness and disability leave taken by public- and private-sector employees.
The Alberta release shows Alberta public-sector workers taking an average of 8.5 sick days per year while private-sector employees take an average of 5.1 days. This pattern is broadly replicated across all Canadian jurisdictions. Read more!
What role should the labor movement play in beating back the resurgence of fascism? Resistance, while a powerful concept, is far too vague. Local 10, the San Francisco Bay Area branch of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU)—and perhaps the most radical union in the United States—demonstrates what can be done. Read more!
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