About fifteen years ago, I was working with a union doing organizing work while on leave from my unionized job that I worked at to pay for my education. It was my first official role in a union other than being a steward on the floor. The union had paired ‘newbies’ with ‘experienced’ people. I Continue reading#MeToo in labour
harassment
On February 25, 2019, Millennium Library in downtown Winnipeg implemented new security measures – a bag check and metal detector at the front entrance. Library workers and management have cited safety concerns regarding weapons, substance use and “inappropriate behaviour.” To the general public, the security screening came as a surprise. Many library users were upset Continue readingLibrary Security & Harm Reduction in the Workplace
Rank & File Radio – Prairie Edition on CKUW 95.90 FM provides Canadian labour news and analysis across Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. This show is an independent partner with RankandFile.ca and supported by listeners like you through Patreon, and UFCW Local 832. —Support via Patreon!— www.patreon.com/rfradioprairie Thanks to everyone who has supported this show since Continue readingStella’s workers unionize | SK Co-op workers strike through Christmas | Crashing Liberal parties
By Camille Colatosti and Elissa Karg It’s hard enough to confront workplace sexual harassment when it’s coming from management. But what about harassment between co-workers? It’s a more difficult issue—but one that has to be addressed if the union is worth its salt. The most important step is confronting co-worker harassment head-on, even if some argue Continue readingStopping sexual harassment in the workplace
By Bob Barnetson The recent spate of sexual harassment allegations has triggered a couple of articles examining the role of human-resource departments. The crux of the analysis is that HR shops are intended to advance the employer’s interest. Not surprisingly, a key employer interest is mitigating liability. When proactive measures (such as codes of conduct) Continue readingHarassment and HR: Whose side are you on?
By Daniel Tseghay The Tyee recently ran a series on the experiences of retail, food and beverage, and hospitality workers, and their experiences of harassment on the job. One of the articles, “Slaps, Gropes and Comments ‘Non-stop’” by Rachel Sanders, noted that 80 per cent of food and beverage servers are women and they experience Continue readingSupreme Court decision will impact BC workers facing discrimination and harassment
My endless battle for workplace safety “It has been a long four years and even though we now have a lawyer, not much has happened, which is very frustrating,” reads a recent email from a former co-worker. Almost a decade later, specific workers are still being harassed in my seriously toxic former workplace. What happened Continue readingForced out by a broken system
By Samantha Ponting A workplace can become so toxic for a woman, and other genders that commonly face violence and discrimination, that the easiest escape is often to quit the job. I spoke with a friend last week who was complaining about how all her male co-workers belittle her and don’t value her opinions. When Continue readingStories of sexism in the workplace
Part 2 of How the WSIB is Failing the Injured Workers of Ontario By Samantha Ponting On Dec. 3, a group of injured workers and their allies gathered in front of the Ontario Ministry of Labour on University Avenue in Toronto to demand action on medical coverage for injured workers. The workers handed out band Continue readingThe WSIB’s Austerity Agenda: Deporting Injured Migrant Workers
Callout for testimonials In recent weeks, news headlines are full of stories about sexism and harassment in the workplace. RankandFile.ca is seeking testimonials of workers and the unemployed who have experienced sexism. We would like to bring these issues to light through publication on RankandFile.ca’s website in an effort to educate workers about sexism and Continue readingAre you a worker that’s experienced sexism?