Canadian unions step up pressure for wage hikes

[Newsjock]

Source: The Globe and Mail

As Canada’s economy recovers and corporate balance sheets improve, unions are becoming more aggressive in trying to win back concessions given up during the recession.

“We’re already beginning to see changes in labour relations,” said Guy Dancosse, a labour lawyer in Montreal who represents companies. “My feeling is that some employers may have taken advantage of the (recession) without doing some long-term thinking. That may have created some kind of resentment and unbalance.”

... Unions representing public servants across the country have also said strikes are possible as governments look to trim spending to curb rising deficits. In Quebec, unions have started organizing several non-unionized work places, including stores belonging to Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., taking advantage of growing concerns about job security and wages.

“As businesses do start to recover, employees are going to want their slice of that recovery,” said Karla Thorpe, associate director of compensation research at the Conference Board of Canada. In its annual outlook for industrial relations, the board predicts labour unrest this year in some areas of the economy that have started to rebound.

Read more: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/unions-step-up-pressure-for-wage-hikes/article1881473/

[gratuitous]

1. Higher wages?

Don't they know that will cut into the yacht budgets of their overlords?! Goddam socialists!

[PDJane]

2. indeed, and proud of it...........