Alberta’s Unconstitutional Labour Laws

Alberta Federation of Labour, Director of Projects - Tom Fuller has recently written an article in the AFL's new magazine "Union" (see pages 26 - 27) which takes a look Labour Laws in that western Canadian province.

"Alberta’s Unconstitutional labour laws

An invitiation to union-busting - tom fuller, AFL

When labour relations experts look at Alberta, the first thing they notice is the low rate of unionization in the province’s workforce.

At last count (in 2006) just 22.3% of workers in Alberta were union members – by far the lowest rate in Canada. Journalists and academics have noted this fact and discussed possible reasons for it. Much of the discussion centers around Alberta’s conservative political culture, “entrepreneurial values” and “cowboy spirit.” Rugged individuals like us, apparently, just don’t like the idea of joining together with others in an attempt to better ourselves; we’d rather go it alone.

To anybody with on-the-ground experience doing union work in Alberta, that explanation is ludicrous. The fact is: workers in Alberta, at least a significant number of them, want to unionize; but that our province’s anti-union labour laws make it very difficult for them to exercise their right to do so. “Give us some halfway balanced labour legislation,” say the organizers, “and we’ll see if the “cowboy spirit” still keeps workers away from unions!” (read more....)

Striking N.B. professors reject final offer from St. Thomas University

Sound familiar? From The Chronicle Herald:

"Striking N.B. professors reject final offer from St. Thomas University

By THE CANADIAN PRESS
Tue. Jan 29 - 2:02 PM

FREDERICTON — Striking professors at St. Thomas University in Fredericton have voted to reject a final contract offer from the university.

The vote, conducted by the province's Labour and Employment Board, saw the offer rejected by 72 per cent of full-time faculty and 63 per cent of the part-time staff.

The faculty association had recommended the offer be rejected.

Union president Suzanne Dudziak says she's confident a collective agreement can be reached if the two sides can resume negotiations.

The labour dispute began Dec. 27 when the university locked out the professors, who are asking for higher wages. The school recently lifted the lockout, but faculty had already voted to strike." (read more....)

Olbermann: Obama - Kennedy seal of approval

Political Firings in Saskatchewan - Another Analysis

Wander on over to the "Owls and Roosters Blog" and read a new entry entitled:

"Deputy Premier Ken Krawetz says firings about towing the party line, more to come; Premier Brad Wall betrays own words from Aug. 2007 letter"

Its an analysis and commentary about the recent Political Firings carried out by the new Sask. Party Government including the full text of Brad Wall's pre-election (Aug. 30, 2007), letter to the editor respecting the topic of firings in the civil service following elections.

It can be argued that there are some serious contradictions between what was said, and what's been done.

If you were President ...

"If you were President . . .
Leo Panitch: Democratizing economy is the fundamental change needed to deal with recession." (read more...)

Drinking? - You decide!

U.S. Military Spending has maxed out the country's credit card

There's a very interesting article on military spending on the MIT Centre for International Studies Web-Site.

"At the beginning of the twenty-first century, the United States is in a position of military preponderance, both in terms of its ability to project power abroad and wage conventional war. To maintain this military advantage, the U.S. has spent annually between $332 and $513 billion annually since the end of the Cold War. The end of the communist military threat gave rise to hope of a “peace dividend” and to political efforts both to reduce the defense budget and redirect spending from the military to domestic social programs, but the American defense budget never fell below 85% of the highest Cold War levels achieved during the Reagan buildup in the late 1980s. The U.S. accounts for nearly half the world’s military expenditure, outspending on defense the next fourteen largest military powers combined." (read more....)

SFL to submit names for board membership

Regina Leader-Post reporter Neil Scott has an article in the Friday, January 25, 2008 edition of the paper entitled: SFL to submit names for board membership.

The article reports on the SFL's intention to submit the names of nominees to represent Labour on the Board of Enterprise Saskatchewan.

Excerpt:

"The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour has decided to play ball with the provincial government, by nominating candidates to be on the board of Enterprise Saskatchewan.

Larry Hubich, the president of the SFL, said the decision to accept an invitation from the government to nominate candidates was made despite the serious concerns the SFL has about the role and structure of Enterprise Saskatchewan." (read more....)

70 Sask. civil servants being dismissed, minister says

If you don't share the same philosophy as the new Premier - YOU'RE FIRED!

CBC Saskatchewan Website runs the following story:

70 Sask. civil servants being dismissed, minister says

The story reads (emphasis added):

"Krawetz said people were being evaluated individually, on their ability to do the job, and on whether they share the same philosophy as the new premier."

Regina Leader-Post coverage.

US recession fueled by low wages and consumer debt

From "The Real News":

"US recession fueled by low wages and consumer debt

Leo Panitch: Weakening of unions and global pressures on US wages a major factor

Thursday January 24th, 2008

Leo Panitch is the Canada Research Chair in Comparative Political Economy and a Distinguished Research Professor of Political Science at York University in Toronto. Panitch is also the author of Global Capitalism and American Empire."

You can read the transcript of the Panitch interview here.

Open Letter to Hon. Lyle Stewart respecting Enterprise Saskatchewan

On January 22, 2008 I sent the following open letter to Honourable Lyle Stewart, Minister of Enterprise and Innovation respecting "Enterprise Saskatchewan":

The full letter is available for download in Adobe PDF format here: Open Letter to Minister Stewart.

Honourable Lyle Stewart
Minister of Enterprise and Innovation
Government of Saskatchewan

Re: Enterprise Saskatchewan

Dear Minister Stewart:

By now you will have received correspondence from the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) dated January 10th, 2008, responding to your invitation to put forward nominees for the Board of Enterprise Saskatchewan. In it, we ask a number of questions, including:

• Are we correct in assuming that the SFL will be a prescribed organization as contemplated in Bill 2?

• Can all other labour organizations who have been asked for nominees assume they are considered prescribed organizations?

• Why did some unions receive an invitation to put forward nominees and not others? (read more....)

Computer 101

Olbermann: More Lies from Bush Administration

935 Lies = 1 Illegal War

Study: Bush led U.S. to war on 'false pretenses'
Hundreds of false statements on WMDs, al-Qaida used to justify Iraq war

"Associated Press - updated 1:30 a.m. CT, Wed., Jan. 23, 2008

WASHINGTON - A study by two nonprofit journalism organizations found that President Bush and top administration officials issued hundreds of false statements about the national security threat from Iraq in the two years following the 2001 terrorist attacks.

The study concluded that the statements "were part of an orchestrated campaign that effectively galvanized public opinion and, in the process, led the nation to war under decidedly false pretenses." (read more....)

Saskatchewan Rejects TILMA ... Again

Erin Weir over at the Progressive Economics Forum Blog has just posted an article on contradictory stories about the Sask. Party's position regarding the B.C./Alberta Trade Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA):

"Saskatchewan’s new Premier, Brad Wall, addressed the Petroleum Club in Calgary on Monday to emphasize his willingness to continue giving away his province’s oil reserves for scandalously low royalties. Several media outlets reported that he also expressed interest in joining TILMA, which he had previously rejected. For example, The Globe and Mail reported, “He mentioned his desire to become part of a pact that now includes Alberta and British Columbia that is aimed at removing interprovincial trade barriers.”

In the following story, “New gov’t turfs TILMA,” Wall’s Minister of Enterprise and Innovation set the record straight. Fittingly, this article was printed in The Meridian Booster of Lloydminster, which straddles the Saskatchewan-Alberta border." (read more....)

Sean Penn on Bill Maher

I know that this is a bit "dated", BUT.....

Latin America Banks on Independence

In These Times web-site has posted an article by Mark Engler about the creation of a new Bank of the South:

"Latin America Banks on Independence

The new Bank of the South shatters neoliberal economics

By Mark Engler

In the closing weeks of 2007, a region in revolt against the economics of corporate globalization issued its most unified declaration of independence to date.

On Dec. 9, standing before the flags of their countries, the presidents of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay and Venezuela, along with a representative from Uruguay, gathered in Buenos Aires and signed the founding charter of the Banco del Sur, or the Bank of the South." (read more....)

50 Years in Three Minutes

I friend of mine sent me this link a while back. It's very good. Just turn up the volume, sit back and enjoy it. It's 50 years of history in approximately 3 minutes.

According to the message that came with the e-mail link, this was created by some guy at the University of Chicago.

A whole bunch of photos cycled through while the Billy Joel tune "We didn't start the fire" plays in the background.

Click here to view it. (It should open up in a separate page)

Olbermann: White House e-mails really missing?

A Supreme Decision: Collective Bargaining as a Constitutional Right

In September 2007, Our Times Magazine published an article by Dr. Elaine Bernard, Executive Director of the Harvard Trade Union Program - Harvard Law School.

The article is entitled: Collective Bargaining as a Constitutional Right

There are a couple of quotes from Elaine's article that bear repeating:

"the right to bargain collectively with an employer enhances the human dignity, liberty and autonomy of workers by giving them the opportunity to influence the establishment of workplace rules and thereby gain some control over a major aspect of their lives, namely their work." - Supreme Court of Canada

and

"THE RIGHT TO STRIKE IS NEXT?
Put in proper historic context, legislation did not create collective bargaining, but rather legislation eventually came to protect collective bargaining because of its fundamental importance" to society. One might also make the same case for the right to strike. Unfortunately, this case did not involve the right to strike and so it remains an open question whether the Supreme Court, in a future case, will recognize "the right to strike" as a constitutional right. Like collective bargaining, the right to strike "is consistent with, and indeed, promotes other Charter rights, freedoms and values" and therefore deserves to be recognized and protected by the Charter." - Dr. Elaine Bernard

Sask. Essential Services Legislation WORST in Canada

Image courtesy Planet S Magazine
Freelance writer Stephen LaRose has just written a piece which appears in the January 17, 2008 issue of Planet S Magazine:

"Drive For Five

Labour leaders express concern about proposed Essential Services Legislation

by Stephen LaRose

When Saskatchewan Federation of Labour president Larry Hubich calls Bill 5, the Saskatchewan Party government’s new essential services legislation, the worst bill he’s ever seen, Saskatchewan’s mainstream media simply chalk it up to a union leader playing politics with a government that’s perceived to be anti-union, and leave it at that.

It’s only when you actually talk to Hubich, and Saskatchewan Union of Nurses president Rosalee Longmoore, that you get an idea of what they mean." (read more....)

One Big Union

Writer Strike coverage, filmed on location in Burbank, CA
Music by Matthew Grimm and the Red Smear

GSU wins Viterra pension dispute

Grain Services Union Wins Pension Battle

Regina, Jan. 18, 2008 – Grain Services Union (ILWU • Canada) announced the beginning of the final chapter of its pension solvency dispute with Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Inc., doing business as Viterra.

“For the past 43 months GSU and Viterra have been engaged in a dispute over resolving a solvency deficiency in the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool/Grain Services Union defined benefit pension plan(SWP/GSU Plan) covering approximately 1,800 current and former employees of the company,” said GSU General Secretary Hugh Wagner.

“Through the many ups and downs since April 2004 GSU has resisted every effort by the employer to shift all or a major part of the financial burden for the solvency deficiency onto SWP/GSU Plan members,” Wagner said. “I am happy to report that the patience and persistence of GSU and its members have paid off and Viterra will fully fund the solvency deficiency and Plan members’ benefits will be fully protected.” (read more....)

Canadian Manual Has U.S. on Torture List - New York Times

The following is an excerpt from the January 18, 2008 New York Times:

"Canadian Manual Has U.S. on Torture List

By IAN AUSTEN
Published: January 18, 2008

OTTAWA — A training manual for Canadian diplomats lists the United States among countries that potentially torture or abuse prisoners.

The manual is an internal document of the Department of Foreign Affairs. A spokesman for the foreign minister confirmed the contents of the manual after news reports about it circulated on Thursday." (read more....)

Billy Bragg - "There Is Power In A Union"

New SFL "Labour Reporter" Launched

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour has just unveiled a brand new revamped quarterly newsletter. The January 2008 Edition is available for download now: Labour Reporter - January 2008. (Adobe PDF format)

Growing Support for Curbing Excessive Executive Compensation

From Share.ca (Shareholder Association for Research and Education):

Survey finds growing support for curbing excessive executive compensation at Canadian companies

SHARE today released the findings of its 2007 Key Proxy Vote Survey of Canadian Investment Managers.

Download the complete survey
Press Releases Jan 15, 2008

Deadly Boom: Rising job related deaths prompt safety calls

Roses on coffins at Bentall memorial. Photo T. Sandborn

From TheTyee.ca - Posted January 10, 2008

"Job related injuries and illnesses are killing nearly five Canadians a day, and the death toll for B.C. workers last year alone was higher than for Canadian forces in the entire Afghan mission.

"Canada can do much better," charges a think tank study, citing a 45 per cent increase nationally in job related deaths between 1993 and 2005.

The study, issued by The Centre for the Study of Living Standards, finds accidental deaths are down but occupational illness deaths are up, making Canada the worst among developed nations at reducing workplace fatalities over the last 20 years." (read more....)

BC Fed condemns expansion of temporary worker program

The British Columbia Federation of Labour has just come out with a statement critical of the government's expansion of the temporary foreign worker program. The program expansion will result in the further exploitation of vulnerable foreign workers.

"BC Fed condemns expansion of temporary worker program—government fails to address rights of vulnerable workers

January 14, 2008

Vancouver-Today's latest expansion of the temporary foreign worker program means continued exploitation of foreign workers and fails to address the rights of vulnerable workers, says the B.C. Federation of Labour.

Despite previous calls from the Federation and other groups concerned about the exploitation of these vulnerable workers, again the federal government has failed to dedicate resources to enforcement and monitoring of fair housing and labour standards for temporary workers," said Federation President, Jim Sinclair. (read more....)"

The WORST Labour Legislation in the Country

Check it out: The WORST Labour Legislation in the Country

Olbermann: Bushed: The Nation is tired of Bush

A Mother of all Bloggers

Congratulations to Regina blogger, Bernadette Wagner on the great article in the Regina Leader-Post about Bernadette's new blog - "the regina mom".

Photo by Don Healy - The Leader-Post

"One person can't change the world overnight, but one person at a time we can come together and make a difference," says Bernadette Wagner.

1,000 Years

Olbermann: Fred Thompson - Worst Person in the World

Another government violates the Charter Right to freedom of association of workers

Another ground breaking decision regarding the Charter Rights of workers and their unions has been handed down. The decision found that legislation, unilaterally implemented by the Jean Charest government, in Quebec violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

One of my favourite quotes from the decision is:

"[This legislation] was likely going to have a dramatic and exceptional effect on the rights of employees. The government adopted it knowing perfectly well that the unions were strongly opposed to certain aspects of the legislation, without considering other means that would have allowed it to achieve its objectives, and without explaining its choices.…"

From the Lancaster House web-site:

"Charter right to freedom of association violated by Quebec legislation, court holds

Posted January 10, 2008

A Quebec Superior Court judge has invalidated portions of a controversial Quebec law forcing contentious groups of workers in the health care and social services sector to bargain together, and requiring that certain issues be bargained locally, rather than leaving it to negotiations between the parties. Applying a recent ground-breaking decision of the Supreme Court of Canada, the judge found that the impugned provisions violated the workers' right to freedom of association guaranteed by s.2(d) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms because they constituted a substantial and unjustified interference with collective bargaining." (read more)

Sign of the Future??

B.C. health care unions resume meetings on Bill 29 today

As the B.C. Government goes back to the bargaining table today with B.C. health care workers - the Saskatchewan government continues to stumble forward with plans ("feedback sessions" is not consultation) to become the next province that will be "Off Side" with the Supreme Court of Canada for violating workers fundamental and charter rights.

The Sask Party government appears determined to leave a legacy of Saskatchewan being the home of the WORST labour laws in Canada.

"B.C. health care unions resume meetings on Bill 29 today

Health care shortages and workers' rights must be addressed in wake of historic Supreme Court ruling

Vancouver (10 Jan. 2008) - The British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) and other health unions resume meetings today with the provincial officials and health employers to discuss the implementation of last summer's historic Supreme Court of Canada ruling invalidating key portions of Bill 29." read more...... (nupge.ca)

Olbermann: Countdown - All over the map

New Blog: The Regina Mom

New Blog: The Regina Mom. Check it out.

Women Are Never Front-Runners by Gloria Steinem

There's a great Op-Ed piece in the New York Times by Gloria Steinem:

"Women Are Never Front-Runners

By GLORIA STEINEM
Published: January 8, 2008

THE woman in question became a lawyer after some years as a community organizer, married a corporate lawyer and is the mother of two little girls, ages 9 and 6. Herself the daughter of a white American mother and a black African father — in this race-conscious country, she is considered black — she served as a state legislator for eight years, and became an inspirational voice for national unity." Read the rest.....

Enterprise Saskatchewan: Ministry sends over 55 organizations more than one invitation; SUN, SUMA, SARM, NSBA, STEP omitted

Joe Kuchta over at the "Owls and Roosters Blog" has just posted an analysis of the invitations to submit nominations for Enterprise Saskatchewan which have been sent out by the Ministry of Innovation and Enterprise.

He raises some interesting and puzzling questions. Read Joe's posting here.

Wall heads to Ottawa a changed man - Mandryk

I thought Leader-Post political columnist Murray Mandryk did a particularly good job of the column he wrote in today's (Jan. 9, 2008) edition:

"Wall heads to Ottawa a changed man
Murray Mandryk, The Leader-Post
Published: Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Whether a job automatically changes a man is debatable.

What it clearly does do, however, is change a man's view on matters. Witness the evolution of one Brad Wall on the topic of equalization:" read more......

Wal-Mart and China: The Ultimate Joint Venture

Then go to: WakeUpWalmart.Com

University President gets $1.3 Million Golden Parachute after 2 years of work

There is something seriously wrong with a system that continues to allow the management elites to walk away with $1.36 million golden parachutes after 2 years of employment while the workers struggle to make ends meet and to keep up to the ever increasing cost of living.

Check out this article in the Montreal Gazette: Concordia Workers Walk Out, Support staff bitter over ex-president's golden parachute.

The Last Saskatchewan Pirate

Olbermann Countdown: Race For 2008 - John Edwards

The curious absence of class struggle - G&M

This article appears in the Saturday, January 5, 2008 edition of the Globe and Mail.

The curious absence of class struggle
It's not so much the rich getting richer; it's the very, very rich

PETER J. NICHOLSON
From Saturday's Globe and Mail
January 5, 2008 at 9:00 AM EST

Statistics Canada reported recently that the earned income of the "average" Canadian -- the so-called median income -- was the same in 2004 as in 1982. After we subtract inflation to keep the purchasing power of a dollar roughly constant, it turns out that median income, before taxes, did not rise at all over those 22 years. Yet during that same time the Canadian economy grew, in real per capita terms, by more than half. But only the very well-paid - those above the 90th percentile of the income distribution - saw any significant increase in earned income; and the higher up the earnings ladder, the greater the growth. What has been going on? read more......

Occupational Health and Safety

More misinformation about Labour Laws published in Regina Leader-Post

Today, (Sat. Jan. 5, 2008), an individual named Brian Fergusson had a letter to the Editor of the Regina Leader-Post published bemoaning Saskatchewan's labour laws, and supporting the Brad Wall government in their recent attack on workers' constitutional, charter and human rights. You can read the article here entitled: Predictable reaction.

I have subsequently received a copy of a response which has been submitted to the Leader-Post by a reader who sent me a copy. It is reproduced below:

Sent to Editor, Regina Leader Post, Saturday, January 05, 2008

Brian Fergusson’s letter of January 5, 2008 shows a complete lack of understanding of what the Saskatchewan Party’s labour legislation revisions are all about. Mr. Fergusson wonders what is wrong with secret ballots. The answer is simple: not a thing. Unions use secret ballots for all sorts of decisions within the union. It is the administration of a secret ballot vote during a union organizing drive that is at issue. Under the proposed legislation, employers will know which of their employees cast ballots in any union certification vote. Therefore the workers will have been divided into two easily identifiable groups, those who either voted for or against the union and those who most certainly are against the union because they did not vote.

There is a huge incentive for employees to not vote in a system where their potential loyalties can be so easily revealed to their employer. Most people agree that it would unfair if a union were voted in or out solely on the basis of a majority of votes cast. In this case, the legislation requires that a majority of eligible employees must vote in favour of joining the union in order to determine whether union certification is warranted.

If voting can be discouraged in the first place, by an employer who makes it known that "not voting" is the preferred option for its employees, anyone brave enough to show up at the polls will be identified immediately as being a possible union supporter. The new legislation allows employers to "freely communicate" with employees in such cases. It allows employers to "advise" its employees of all the down sides to unionization that the company can dream up, including, as Mr. Fergusson pointed out, warnings about jobs being "lost forever", that a union might provide an "impediment" to competition. How fair is that?

The current system of secret card signing as a method to determine how many employees want a union was devised specifically to prevent employers from finding out which of their employees are potential union supporters. It was enshrined in law because it protects employees from being targeted by employers.

Mr. Fergusson talks about Saskatchewan Federation of Labour President Larry Hubich as if he is a gangster, referring to the people who elected him (by secret ballot!) as "his cronies". I would like to know what we ought to call Mr. Fergusson’s colleagues?

- Gary Schoenfeldt

For more information on this topic click here.

Update Jan 11, 2008 - Gary's letter has now been printed (in edited form) in the Leader-Post entitled: Workers could be targeted by employers

Sask. Party Labour Agenda has it's roots in Washington, D.C.

Cartoon: Mike Konopacki

Wonder where the recent Sask. Party attack on worker rights has it's origin? Try Washington, D.C., the United States Chambers of Commerce and the George W. Bush Republicans.

You can read all about it at: ‘Card Check’ Takes a Hit - by Kim Moody.

The next thing we'll see in Saskatchewan is the new Sask. Party Government trying to justify why they need to dismantle the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board or stack it with anti-union appointments. Even Leader-Post political columnist Murray Mandryk made that connection.

.

Make no mistake, under the Sask. Party government Saskatchewan will have the "WORST Labour Laws in Canada".

Enterprise Saskatchewan Explained

Once again, Joe Kuchta over at the "Owls and Roosters Blog" has posted an extensive, and excellent analysis of the Sask. Party's invention: Enterprise Saskatchewan.

His most recent posting is entitled: Enterprise Saskatchewan Act: Sector teams lack transparency; labour laws not identified as barriers in Premier Brad Wall’s ‘economic vision’ .

Give it read. It's a bit long, but very comprehensive, thoughtful and insightful. It raises many questions that the citizens of Saskatchewan (and the mainstream media) should be asking the Brad Wall Sask. Party government to explain.

Does the Saskatchewan Government Think We're Stupid

Go to the Saskatchewan Government Web-site (Labour Section) which is now buried deep in the Department of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour and see how easy it is to find reference to the Trade Union Act, The Construction Industrial Relations Act, The Workers Compensation Act or The Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board.

Click this link: http://www.labour.gov.sk.ca/

Do you believe the fact there are no "Quick Links" or "Shortcuts" to these particular Important Pieces of worker legislation and agencies prominently displayed on the first page is an innocent oversight?

I don't. It's deliberate, it's anti-worker, it's anti-union, and it's vindictive.

So much for "Reaching Out to Labour"!

Hubich ready for peace, war - Leader-Post

From the Thursday, January 3, 2008 issue of the Regina Leader-Post:

Hubich ready for peace, war

"Larry Hubich says he would rather make love than fight wars in 2008.

But, as 2007 came to an end and a new year dawned in Saskatchewan, the chances of Hubich ending up in bed with Premier Brad Wall seemed remote, even in a metaphorical sense.

"The labour movement has been very clear that we would welcome an agenda of co-operation and consultation,'' said Hubich, the veteran outspoken president of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour." read more.....

Ecospot: Moose Jaw

New Year’s party still going for top CEOs

The CCPA (Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives) has released a new report on CEO Pay in Canada. The announcement of the report is reproduced below:

New Year’s party still going for top CEOs

TORONTO - By the time most Canadians roll up their sleeves to begin a new year of work, Canada's best paid 100 CEOs will already be having a good year: They'll pocket the national average wage of $38,998 by 10:33 am January 2nd.

And they will continue to earn the average Canadian wage every nine hours and 33 minutes for the rest of the year, according to a new report on CEO pay by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).

"Most Canadians are heading back into work with a mound of Christmas bills and financial worries but for Canada’s best paid 100 CEOs it’s like Santa Claus delivers every nine hours,” says the report’s author, CCPA Research Associate Hugh Mackenzie.

“That’s what happens when you make an average of $8,528,304 – which is the average of what Canada’s 100 best paid CEOs made in 2006.”

On average, the best-paid 100 CEOs make more than 218 times as much as a Canadian working full-time for a full year at the average of weekly employment earnings.

“That represents a significant gap between the rich and the rest of us – especially the working poor who earn the minimum wage,” Mackenzie says.

By 1:04 p.m. New Years’ Day, the best paid 100 CEOs pocketed what will take a minimum wage worker all of 2008 to earn. Every four hours and four minutes, they will keep pocketing the annual income of a full-time full-year minimum wage worker.

“We have to ask ourselves, are those at the top of the income heap really worth so much? And are those at the bottom really worth so little?”

The CEO report and an online tool to find out how quickly the top 100 CEOs earn your salary are available at http://www.growinggap.ca/.

You can download the full (12-page) report from the CCPA entitled: The Great CEO Pay Race: Over Before it Begins. (Adobe PDF format)

See the Globe and Mail article: Average Canadians work for shillings while CEOs make a killing

Corporate Greed and Corporate Power - Saskatchewan Needs More???

Here are a couple of more brand new articles about Corporate Greed and Corporate Power:

Michael Moore's new letter entitled: Who Do We Vote For This Time Around?

Ian Swanson in "The Hill": Top Democrats Ponder Changing NAFTA

p.s. Sask. Premier, Brad Wall and his government think Corporations need MORE POWER!

Big companies wield too much power, says poll

The following article ran in the January 2, 2008 issue of the Regina Leader-Post:

"OTTAWA -- The majority of the world's most informed, engaged and connected citizens believe large corporations have too much influence over government decisions and wield more power than governments, according to a poll conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs.

The survey found 74 per cent of respondents believe companies have too much influence over governments, while 69 per cent agreed that large companies are more powerful than governments." Read more.....

Welcome to 2008 - Can't Make It in the U.S. Anymore

Check out the Website of: James McMurtry and the Heartless Bastards