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February 23, 2012
- Last Call for the Human Rights and Accommodation Conference in Toronto
- Caterpiller Settles With Workers In Ontario, and Workers in Muncie, Indiana Wait
- Union Support Returns to Obama in the U.S.
- UK Employers Reject Jobs Scheme That's All Work And No Pay
- Sports Players’ Unions – Reviewing the Playbook for the Past, and the Future
- Understanding and Responding to Persistently High Unemployment in the U.S.
- Looking For International Labour Standards or Laws? Check Out ILO’s NORMLEX
- Decision Expected Soon in Iowa Race Class Action Class Action Suit
- Women Choosing Motherhood Over Academic Careers in the Sciences and Engineering
- Do You Write ‘kitchen’ or “thought you would” In Your Work Emails? You’re Probably Not the Boss.
- Women Still Under Represented
- Planning for Your Un-retirement?
- Aboriginal Employment Initiatives, Issues and “Best Employers”
- Too Busy To Breathe? Really?
- Book of the Week
Last Call for the Human Rights and Accommodation Conference in Toronto
“If you have not already reserved your hotel room for our Human Rights and Accommodation Conference and workshops, taking place in Toronto from April 2 to 5, 2012, now is the time!
Due to overwhelming demand, we have extended the deadline to reserve rooms at the special reduced conference rate of $209/night. Reserve your room today! There is limited room space available at this rate, and we can only guarantee this pricing until Friday, March 2.
Please contact the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel directly to make your reservation, and mention you are with Lancaster House to be certain to get the conference rate.”
Presented by Lancaster House and the University of Toronto Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources
Caterpiller Settles With Workers In Ontario, and Workers in Muncie, Indiana Wait
“Caterpillar (CAT) Inc.’s settlement with workers at an Ontario plant was ratified by the Canadian Auto Workers union, marking the end of 10 months of negotiations as the company closes its locomotive factory. Caterpillar, the largest maker of diesel-electric locomotives, will give about 465 union workers three weeks of pay for every year of work and a C$1,500 ($1,502) bonus”
Bloomberg, February 23, 2012: “Caterpillar Plant Closing Deal Ratified by Canadian Union”, by Shruti Date Singh
The Toronto Star, February 18, 2012: “Desperate Muncie, Indiana waits in hope of jobs from Caterpillar’s closed London, Ont. locomotive plant”, by Jennifer Wells.
The Toronto Star, February 17, 2012: “Caterpillar said to be building Caterpillar plant in Georgia, adding 1,400 jobs”, by Jeff Martin.
Union Support Returns to Obama in the U.S.
Just six months ago, media was reporting that: “Public employee unions are in a drawn-out fight for their very survival in Wisconsin, Ohio and other states where GOP lawmakers have curbed collective bargaining rights.”, and many union leaders complained that the president they worked so hard to elect had not focused enough on job creation and getting their members back to work. Now, feeling “under siege in state legislatures around the country — and fearing the consequences of a Republican in the White House” — union leaders say they have little choice but to back Obama and Democrats, as they try to halt GOP efforts to restrict collective bargaining rights or their ability to collect dues. “If Republicans take over the presidency, Congress and enough state legislatures, unions will be out of business, pure and simple.”
The Washington Post, February 22, 2012: “Union spending for Obama, Democrats could top $400 million in 2012 election”
Los Angeles Times, February 19, 2012: “Unions return to Democratic fold for 2012 election”, by Matea Gold and Melanie Mason
Salon, February 19, 2012: “America’s last hope: A strong labor movement: To achieve economic justice in the 21st century, we need to fight for democracy in the workplace”, by Dorian Warren
Huffington Post, September 4, 2011: “Obama, Democrats Losing Labor Union Support”
ABC News, August 29, 2011: “Obama's Labor Problem: Union Scales Back Support for Democratic Party”, by Amy Bingham
New Labor Forum, Spring 2011: “PROMISES, PROMISES: Assessing the Obama Administration's Record on Labor Reform”, by Anne Lofaso.(PDF, 8 pages)
UK Employers Reject Jobs Scheme That's All Work And No Pay
A Department for Work and Pensions “scheme under which jobseekers can lose benefits if they do not complete up to 30 hours a week of unpaid "work experience" is in disarray after companies and charities abandoned it in the wake of public anger.” “The recent pull-outs came despite a three-day offensive by the Work and Pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, the deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, and employment minister Chris Grayling, who branded critics of the scheme "job snobs" and "modern-day Luddites".
The Guardian, February 21, 2012: “Work experience scheme in disarray as Tesco and other retailers change tack”, by Shiv Malik, Patrick Wintour and James Ball
The Independent, February 18, 2012: “Backlash spreads against project that forces benefit claimants to give their time for free“ , Kevin Rawlinson And Nigel Morris
Sports Players’ Unions – Reviewing the Playbook for the Past, and the Future
Despite “scholarly consensus suggesting that professional athletes were unlikely to disband their unions”, the NFL and NBA unions both elected to dissolve in response to lockouts by ownership in 2011. But just prior to the Super Bowl, the NFL players’ union's executive director stated, ''when it comes to issues like right-to-work legislation, and what we believe is the rightful and important ability to unify for collective action, anywhere there is a fight over that fundamental right to build teams among workers, that's where we're going to be,'' ''The [N.F.L.] lockout taught us an important lesson about our ability to stay together.”
New York Times, February 1, 2012: “N.F.L. ROUNDUP; [Right to Work] Vote Puts Union On The Spot”, by Judy Battista
University of Georgia , February 12, 2012: “Decertifying Players' Unions: Lessons From the NFL and NBA Lockouts of 2011”, by Nathaniel Grow. Summary. Download full paper at this site. (PDF, 32 pages)
Postmedia News, January 28, 2012: “NHL, union on CBA collision course”, by Bruce Arthur
Canadian Press, January 28, 2012: “NHL, NHLPA tiptoe into negotiations”, by Chris Johnston
Understanding and Responding to Persistently High Unemployment in the U.S.
“The rate of unemployment in the United States has exceeded 8 percent since February 2009, and CBO projects that it will remain above 8 percent until 2014.” This Congressional Budget Office report suggests policies which could increase employment, including: reducing the marginal cost to businesses of adding employees, targeting people most likely to spend the additional income (generally, people with lower income), improving workers' skills, modifying the unemployment insurance program, and facilitating transitions to work. And included in a new tax-cut bill, signed by Congress last week, is a provision which “allows states to use unemployment insurance money for programs that help move the jobless back into the work force” and “help the unemployed get the training and resources they need to move from an unemployment check to a paycheck.”
Congressional Budget Office, February 17, 2012: Understanding and Responding to Persistently High Unemployment. Summary. Full Report (PDF, 37 pages)
CBS News, 60 Minutes, February 19, 2012: Trapped in Unemployment: The chances of finding a job are grim for the four million long-term unemployed in the U.S., but Joe Carbone is looking to change that in his Connecticut town, Scott Pelley reports. (Video, 12:18 minutes.) Transcript of the segment.
John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, working paper, February 15, 2012: “The Great Recession of 2007-2009, the Lagging Jobs Recovery, and the Missing 5-6 Million National Labor Force Participants 2011”, by Dr. William M. Rodgers III, Chief Economist at the Heldrich Center. (PDF, 27 pages). EPRN Summary.
New York Times, February 21, 2012: “Tax-Cut Bill Includes Updates to Jobless Benefits System”, by Doug Mills
Looking For International Labour Standards or Laws? Check Out ILO’s NORMLEX
“NORMLEX is a new information system which brings together information on International Labour Standards (such as ratification information, reporting requirements, comments of the ILO's supervisory bodies, etc.) as well as national labour and social security laws. NORMLEX has been designed to provide comprehensive and user friendly information on these topics and includes the NATLEX database as well as the information which was previously contained in the former APPLIS, ILOLEX and Libsynd “. A User Guide is provided.
International Labor Organization (ILO), February 12, 2012: ILO launches comprehensive new database on labour standards.
Decision Expected Soon in Iowa Race Class Action Class Action Suit
“After years of litigation, a judge will soon decide whether to grant thousands of black employees and job applicants monetary damages for hiring practices used by every agency of Iowa state government that they say has disadvantaged them for decades. Experts say the case is the largest class-action lawsuit of its kind against an entire state government’s civil service system, and tests a legal theory that social science and statistics alone can prove widespread discrimination.”
The Toronto Star, February 17, 2012: “Job bias: 6,000 will soon learn if they’ll be compensated for years of alleged job discrimination by Iowa state agencies”, by Ryan J. Foley
Iowa Race Class Action Iowa Race Class Action information site.
Women Choosing Motherhood Over Academic Careers in the Sciences and Engineering
“Universities have long been criticized for hiring and evaluation policies that discriminate against women, but the findings of this new study point to the female biological clock as a main reason why so few women end up as professors in fields such as math, engineering, physics and computer science.” In the U.S., The National Science Foundation, with support from the White House, has chosen to “take a leadership role in finding ways forward along the career-life path”.
American Scientist, March/April, 2012: “When Scientists Choose Motherhood”, by Wendy M. Williams and Stephen J. Ceci
Chicago Tribune, February 17, 2012: “Blame biological clock for dearth of women in math – study”, by Rhonda Kaysen
ScienceDaily, February 14, 2012: “Motherhood 'Detrimental' to Women's Scientific Careers, Study Concludes”
National Science Foundation, November 2011: Balancing the Scale: NSF’s Career-Life Balance Initiative
But Engineers Are in Demand in Leadership Roles
The Globe and Mail, February 14, 2012: "Engineers on the rise in leadership ranks", by Wallace Immen
And Canadian Federal Scientists Say They’re Being Muzzled
A panel discussion at the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting heard that federal scientists in Canada are doing top-line research that’s being published in prestigious journals, but they’ve been told not to talk without getting clearance from Ottawa. “Francesca Grifo, director of the scientific integrity program with the New York-based Union of Concerned Scientists, said scientists must be allowed to speak about their work so that the public can stay informed about research being done to safeguard water, protect the environment and ensure pharmaceuticals are regulated. “We can’t manage without information,” she said Friday.”
The Toronto Star, February 17, 2012: “Federal scientists say they’re being muzzled”, by Petti Fong
Write ‘kitchen’ or “thought you would” In Your Work Emails? You’re Probably Not the Boss.
This paper explores the relationship between the words people use in workplace email and the rank of the email’s recipient. Examining 500,000 emails from about 150 former Enron employees, words and phrases people sent to those above them in the corporate hierarchy versus those at the same level or lower were studied. “We find that certain words and phrases are strong predictors. For example, “thought you would” strongly suggests that the recipient outranks the sender, while “let’s discuss” implies the opposite.”
2012 ACM Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work, February, 2012: "Phrases That Signal Workplace Hierarchy", by Eric Gilbert, Georgia Institute of Technology. (PDF, 10 pages)
Science Daily, February 14, 2012: “Email Language Tips Off Work Hierarchy”
Women Still Under Represented
This comparative study, prepared by Linda Briskin, Professor, York University in Canada, and Angelika Muller, Gender Coordinator of the Social Dialogue Sector of the ILO, "confirms that women are undeniably and persistently under- represented at all levels and in all arenas of social dialogue, which is undoubtedly related to their under-representation within government units, trade unions and employers’ organizations. This under-representation may also explain the scarcity of meaningful discussion and initiatives on gender equality issues in the social dialogue fora."
Industrial and Employment Relations Department, (DIALOGUE), December 2011: “Promoting gender equality through social dialogue: Global trends and persistent obstacles”, by Linda Briskin and Angelika Muller. (PDF, 31 pages)
World Economic Forum, Davos, 2012: Women as the Way Forward - Annual Meeting 2012 (Video, 57:35 minutes). A panel discussion with Michelle Bachelet, Undersecretary-General, United Nations Women (UN Women), Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer, Facebook, Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu, Talal Al Zain, Chief Executive Officer, Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company. Topics addressed include: The girl effect and the graduate effect, Interventions to close gender gaps; New models of leadership.
Bloomberg, Feb 2, 2012: “No Women on Facebook Board Shows White Male Influence”, by Carol Hymowitz
Newsweek, January 30, 2012: “Why the Global Economy Needs Businesses to Invest in Women: The global economy needs the other 51%”
Planning for Your Un-retirement?
Sun Life Financial released its annual Canadian Unretirement Index for 2012, which measures how Canadian feel about their retirement plans and how retirement is changing. “Unretirement” denotes the changes observed in many peoples’ retirement reality and plans – the inability to retire early or at all, phased retirement, and a trend of retiring after the age of 65 in order to pay for basic living expenses. The Index’s release falls on the heels of a speech given by Human Resources Minister Dian Finley in which she hints that the upcoming federal budget will include major changes to Canada’s pension system, something Harper already alluded to in his keynote address at the World Economic Forum in Davos this past January.
Sun Life Financial, February 22, 2012: Canadian Unretirement Index Report (PDF, 17 pages)
Sun Life Financial: Past reports (2008-2012)
Globe and Mail, February 22, 2012: “Most expect to work beyond age 66: poll”, by Sunny Freeman
Globe and Mail, February 22, 2012: “Base OAS on fairness, not just a higher retirement age”, BY Rhys Kesselman
The Globe and Mail, February 22, 2012: “Don't believe retirement doom and gloom”, by Rob Carrick
Globe and Mail, February 22, 2012: “Spending cuts, pension reform make 2012 budget difficult to complete”, by John Ibbitson
National Post, February 3, 2012: Full transcript of the National Post/Postmedia’s exclusive interview with Stephen Harper
Urban Institute, February 2012: Boomers' Retirement Income Prospects”, by Melissa M. Favreault, Richard W. Johnson, Karen E. Smith, Sheila R. Zedlewski. Summary. Full Text (PDF, 12 pages)
Aboriginal Employment Initiatives, Issues and “Best Employers”
Cathy McLeod, MP for Kamloops–Thompson–Cariboo, recently stated that: “Our government’s top priority is job creation and economic growth. In a constantly evolving labour market, it’s important that Canadians get the skills and training they need to succeed,” said Ms. McLeod. But Sandra Lockhart, coordinator of the Aboriginal Wellness Program at Stanton Territorial Health Authority, is sceptical about the federal government supporting Aboriginal peoples' rights. "We have no equity hiring in the North," she says. "We have 'priority hiring,' and there's shaming among Aboriginal people if you get hired this way. Those who do get in have entry-level jobs and may not be as assertive as they could be, so there are few promotions."
Government of Canada, February 20, 2012: Government of Canada helps Aboriginal people develop job skills. “Through the Government of Canada’s Skills and Partnership Fund, the First Nations Agricultural Association is receiving more than $856,000 for its Career in Agriculture and Agri-Foods Industry Program.”
Our Times, December 2011-January 2012: “Justice For Aboriginal Peoples - It's Time”, by Janet Nicol
Ottawa Citizen, February 13, 2012: “Federal job cuts won't harm minorities or aboriginals: Treasury Board official”, by Jordan Press
Canadian Journal of Education, 2011: “Closing The Education Gap: A Case For Aboriginal Early Childhood Education In Canada, A Look At The Aboriginal Headstart Program”, by Mai Nguyen. Abstract. Full Text (PDF, 248 pages)
The Globe and Mail, February 22, 2012: “Canada's best diversity employers for 2012”, by Diane Jermyn
The Globe and Mail, February 21, 2012: Aboriginal sales manager reflects on pivotal moment, by Diane Jermyn
Too Busy To Breathe? Really?
"If you believe results from the American Time Use Survey, done by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and other studies, plenty of Americans have faulty impressions of how they spend time in our "too-rushed-to-breathe" world."
WSJ Online, Februrary 22, 2012: "Are You As Busy As You Think?" by Laura Vanderkam
U.S. Bureau of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 22, 2011: American Time Use Survey (PDF, 24 pages)
Book of the Week
Age, Gender, and Work: Small Information Technology Firms in the New Economy, edited by Julie Ann McMullin. Vancouver : UBC Press, 2011. 187 p. ISBN 9780774819718
In the new knowledge-based economy, information technology (IT) is a major field of employment. However, the fast pace of technological innovation, globalization, and the volatile stock market have made IT an increasingly risky business – for some employees more than for others. This volume examines how women and older workers in small IT companies are disproportionately vulnerable to economic uncertainty within their industry. Drawing on original survey and interview data, the authors explore how gender and age affect work and workplace culture to produce a fresh contribution to the literature on inequality.
About the Authors:
Julie Ann McMullin is a professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Western Ontario. Contributors: Ingrid Arnet Connidis, Heather Dryburgh, Tammy Duerden Comeau, Emily Jovic, Candace L. Kemp, and Gillian Ranson
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