Labor’s Future in the Global Trade War
As trade tensions rise and industrial policies are reshaped, labor faces critical decisions in a world plagued by economic nationalism and climate change.
31 Articles by: Gerard Di Trolio
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Gerard Di Trolio is a PhD student in labor studies at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.
Canadian Airline Mechanics’ Defiant Strike Has Paid Off
Against orders from Justin Trudeau’s government, WestJet mechanics went on strike. Their actions secured substantial wage gains and a resounding victory for workers’ rights.
Canadian Protections for Gig Workers Are Falling Flat
British Columbia is touting a bill that will protect gig workers from the worst depredations of the sector. However, in a familiar trend of industries outsmarting employment standards in the country, the bill is poised to fall short of its lofty promises.
At the “Progressive” Company GoBolt, Greenwashing Meets Union-Busting
The green logistics firm GoBolt says that “protecting the planet is built into our DNA,” but that progressive sentiment doesn’t extend to its workers. After a group of delivery drivers in Ontario successfully unionized, the company abruptly fired them all.
Canada’s New Centrist Party Is the World’s Most Pointless Political Party
In Canada, a business class brain trust is launching a new centrist party for the upcoming election. With workers suffering multiple crises in housing and household debt, Canada needs a new centrist party like it needs a hole in the head.
Hysteria About Chinese Political Interference Has Arrived in Canada
Canadian news media is in a panic about alleged Chinese influence in Canadian politics. Their coverage is promoting anti-Chinese sentiment and creating farcical levels of paranoia about foreign interference.
The Rich in Canada Are Still Getting Richer
Inflation is hurting workers, but bosses are doing just fine. In Canada, average CEO pay in 2021 was 243 times the average workers’ wage, up from the pre-COVID record set in 2017.
Canadian Labor Cannot Rely on the Goodwill of Politicians
Canadian unions are often weakened by their reliance on the goodwill of the New Democratic Party. The only way to ensure that the New Democrats will advocate for pro-worker policy is for labor to push the party — not the other way around.
Canadian Workers Are in Revolt. Now Is the Time for Unions to Punch the Gas.
Just like American workers, Canadian workers have carried out a recent labor upsurge of their own. As the economy slows, unions might be tempted to make concessions. They shouldn’t.
We Need Solidarity With Chinese Workers — Not Trade Tariffs
Donald Trump’s trade war with China was never about helping American workers. The US labor movement needs to reject trade tariffs and stand up for international solidarity among workers everywhere.
In Ontario’s Election, None of the Promises to Labor Are Good Enough
Ontario’s political parties are all courting labor for the upcoming election. But nothing currently on offer will result in serious change for the Canadian labor movement.
Uber Got a Sweetheart Deal With One of Canada’s Biggest Unions
Uber’s recent deal with UFCW Canada, granting legal representation to the 100,000 workers employed by the ride-sharing app, is not as good as it seems. The agreement will allow Uber to circumvent trade union democracy and attack workers’ benefits.
Some of Canada’s Biggest Capitalists Are Plotting an Attack on Canadian Workers
Founded by Canada’s most powerful business lobbyists, bankers, and oil companies, the Coalition for a Better Future is crafting a plan to attack workers and reorganize the post-pandemic economy in the interests of the rich.
“Ethical” Brand Lush Cosmetics Is Actually a Terrible Place to Work
Lush prides itself on a progressive image, but the company’s union-busting in Toronto tells another story.
Renationalize Canada’s Airlines
The pandemic has exposed some terminal defects in Canada’s deregulated, privately owned airline industry. Nationalization is the best way to make air travel viable, environmentally sustainable, and in tune with social needs.
British Columbia’s NDP Should Act Now To Support Union Rights
Card check helps workers claim their rights by making union certification straightforward. British Columbia’s newly elected NDP majority government must bring card-check certification back to the province and help rebuild the power of workers.
What Canada’s Social Democrats Must Do
When the Canadian parliament reconvenes this month, the Liberals will likely need the New Democratic Party to retain power. The center-left NDP’s support should not come from petty electoral calculation, but from an understanding that bold action is needed by both the country and the party.
The NDP Must Stay the Course
Canada’s New Democratic Party performed worse than expected in yesterday’s elections. But the party can’t take those results as a sign to water down their message — the NDP must continue to offer a left-wing program of taxing the rich and combating climate change.
Canada’s Chance for a Green New Deal
The New Democratic Party has finally proposed a strong climate plan for Canada that opposes new pipelines. But the party needs to be honest about a key fact necessary to save the planet: Canada must euthanize its oil industry.
Boycotting Mexico Won’t Help Canadian Autoworkers
Canada’s autoworkers union recently announced a boycott of Mexican-made GM cars. It’s a dead-end strategy that plays into the hand of the racism and xenophobia of the Right.