Union Bug Blog
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Jan 02, 2013 -
Top 10 Reasons to Be Worried About Social Impact Bonds
Social Impact Bonds are the latest magical solution for governments with deficits. Like other privatization schemes, they are intended to help governments shift costs off their balance sheets. They try to do that by allowing the private sector to run services to make profits for investors.
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Dec 14, 2012 -
Conservative MP Opposes Bill C-377
Bill C-377 – An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (requirements for labour organizations) was passed by the House of Commons this week. The labour movement, other organizations and individuals ranging from the Canadian Bar Association and several Conservative MPs have voiced opposition to the spirit of the bill.
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Dec 10, 2012 -
Something Stinks at RRC
This past June, the administration at Red River College (RRC) notified the MGEU of concerns they had regarding salaries of its food service workers. Simply put, the College believed its workers were overpaid and wanted to open up the contract to make changes.
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Nov 21, 2012 -
Cutting Government Jobs Not the Answer
The latest blow against public sector workers came in the Throne Speech earlier this week where the Manitoba NDP announced 600 jobs would be cut in the next three years. The result would obviously mean a decrease in services that Manitobans rely on to deliver health, justice and many other programs we on to keep our families healthy and safe in our communities. Apparently these drastic measures weren’t enough for anti- government lobbyists who criticized the government for not cutting enough. They allege that because the number of people employed by the civil service has increased since 2008, the staff cuts are meaningless.
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Nov 09, 2012 -
Publicly-Controlled Liquor Systems Remain Superior to Private Counterparts
A new study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) and the Parkland Institute has looked at the effects of liquor privatization in Western Canada.
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Nov 01, 2012 -
Bill C-377 is Just Bad Legislation
Bill C-377 – An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (requirements for labour organizations) will enter third reading soon. If it becomes law, it will force unions to provide an onerous level of detailed financial disclosure about their work on behalf of their members.
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Oct 25, 2012 -
How Are Canadians Really Doing?
A new report by the Canadian Index of Wellbeing (CIW) takes a look at the changes in the wellbeing of Canadians that took place over the 17-year period from 1994 to 2010. It then focuses on how these changes compared to changes in Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the same period.
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Oct 10, 2012 -
Keep Moratorium on Private Wine Stores
Brandon Mayor Shari Decter Hirst waded into the debate over opening more private wine stores in Manitoba during a public meeting recently over the future and regulation of liquor and gaming in Manitoba.
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Sep 27, 2012 -
Correctional Officers and Youth Facility Workers Gather in Ottawa
Members from Components of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) will be meeting in Ottawa on September 27 and 28 to discuss major issues affecting workers in correctional and youth facilities.
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Sep 17, 2012 -
ILO: Weakening Collective Bargaining Hurts Recovery
Weakening or decentralizing collective bargaining arrangements– as some countries have done during the crisis – is likely to lead to more wage inequalities and social instability, the United Nation's International Labour Organization (ILO) has warned.