Wed - December 31, 2008

Jobs


Terry tagged me last week with a work meme: List all the jobs you've had in your life, in order.

Posted at 03:31 PM     Read More  

Tue - May 20, 2008

Surprise settlements


I'm still a bit stunned by the unprecedented early settlements between the Canadian Auto Workers and Ford, GM and Chrysler. The September contract expirations have been hanging over our heads ever since the Americans ratified their contracts last fall. And we were all expecting the worst. A few months ago anyone who said we would have agreements by the middle of May would have been thought crazy.

Posted at 02:21 PM     Read More  

Sun - March 2, 2008

A strike


A strike at TRW Automotive, a small auto parts manufacturer, has shut down Chrysler's minivan plant in Windsor. Production lines at other feeder plants have come to a halt as well. Management has threatened to use replacement workers, scabs, if the strike isn't settled soon. Windsor already has the worst unemployment rate in Canada. It looks like this strike could be long and ugly.

Posted at 05:12 PM     Read More  

Tue - December 4, 2007

"Babies blogging in the womb"


With yet another report on Windsor's manufacturing losses (dead last in the country) the career plans of the younger members of the family are a topic of much discussion. Olivia is joining the navy or the police (or both), Sara's going into law, Dan's now planning on teaching history (not math), Julie's considering nursing and Alex, at 12, wants to keep his options open but admits professional soccer sounds enticing.

No one wants to work in tech, much as they all love their iPods and Xboxes. Which, given the following cautionary tale, is probably wise.

Posted at 01:15 PM     Read More  

Sat - October 20, 2007

Back to the Plant


Went into the plant Wednesday, for the first time since I retired four years ago. I was there as a volunteer with the union election committee, guarding a ballot box in Cafeteria No. 1. It was a bit like coming home, as I've eaten more meals there than anywhere else in my life. Not to mention working on a couple million minivans right outside those doors.

Posted at 10:21 AM     Read More  

Sat - June 30, 2007

China's slaves


Embarrassed by a scandal, China has adopted new labour legislation.

Passage of the measure came shortly after officials and state media unearthed the widespread use of slave labor in as many as 8,000 brick kilns and small coal mines in Shanxi and Henan provinces, one of the most glaring labor scandals since China began adopting market-style economic policies a quarter century ago.

Police have freed nearly 600 workers, many of them children, held against their will in factories owned or operated by well-connected businessmen and local officials.


Posted at 12:07 PM     Read More  

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