Inside Job, Narrated by Matt Damon (Full Length HD)

Inside Job, Narrated by Matt Damon (Full Length HD) on Vimeo.

"'Inside Job' provides a comprehensive analysis of the global financial crisis of 2008, which at a cost over $20 trillion, caused millions of people to lose their jobs and homes in the worst recession since the Great Depression, and nearly resulted in a global financial collapse. Through exhaustive research and extensive interviews with key financial insiders, politicians, journalists, and academics, the film traces the rise of a rogue industry which has corrupted politics, regulation, and academia. It was made on location in the United States, Iceland, England, France, Singapore, and China"

Together, we can do it

In October, TCU Place in Saskatoon played host to the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour’s 56th annual convention. This year’s convention was another overwhelming success with 500 to 600 delegates in attendance. Convention delegates were treated to a number of presentations by a variety of accomplished speakers, some of whom you can read about inside the new edition of the Labour Reporter.

The theme of this year’s convention was “We Can Do It,” the iconic motto of Rosie the Riveter. Rosie’s famous words were a fitting theme for working people as we headed into a provincial election.

We have now seen the re-election of a government responsible for legislation that has significantly limited the rights of working people. It will be increasingly important to keep in mind that “we can do it.”

With a government in power that has passed legislation to strip working people of their Charter rights, political commentators that make no effort to hide an agenda against working people, and provincial and federal governments that care more about corporate tax cuts than protecting the pensions of people across the nation, it is more important than ever that we maintain our commitment to defending the rights of working people.

It is because of the diligent efforts of generations of working people that we enjoy the quality of life that we do in Saskatchewan today.

It is because of dedicated and compassionate people like you that we have pensions and comparatively good labour standards. It is because of people like you that we have Medicare and public services and Crown corporations that are still the envy of the continent, in spite of the current government’s recent attempts to undermine them. It is because of people like you that we had workplace safety standards enshrined in legislation in the first place and that we still have a Trade Union Act, even though our government has attempted to water it down and undercut our rights.

The truth is that people across this province should be extremely thankful for the hard work and dedication that working people show every day.

No amount of opposition from any government, political commentator, or interest group is going to stop us from conducting our most important work: defending the rights of working people.

In solidarity,
Larry Hubich, SFL President

Download full issue of SFL Labour Reporter here in pdf.

SFL Summer Camp - Best Place on Earth

Court date rapidly approaching

All legal arguments have now been filed in the unprecedented case against the Sask. Party governments' anti-worker, anti-democratic, unconstitutional labour laws.

As reported earlier in this blog, the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour and 25 additional plaintiffs (SFL et al) plus 3 intervenor unions filed their legal arguments in the Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench related to the Charter Challenge by the SFL et al against the Sask. Party government's Bills 5 & 6. Legislation which the Wall government introduced and passed in late 2007 and early 2008.

 The plaintiffs (SFL et al) and 3 supporting intervenor unions (CUPE, SEIU-West, and SUN) have now also filled their reply arguments.

You can download and read all of the arguments and backgrounder material on the case from the SFL Website at:  http://www.sfl.sk.ca/our-campaigns/labour-legislation

In what is arguably the largest lawsuit ever filed by working men and women against a sitting government in Saskatchewan (and quite possibly Canadian) history, the Federation and unions in the province have prepared hundreds of pages of legal argument and tendered thousands of pages of evidence.

In addition to the Charter Challenge, the SFL and the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees Union (SGEU) won a case in March 2009 wherein the Sask. Party government was found guilty of violating Saskatchewan workers international human rights by the United Nations International Labour Organization .

The ILO requested that the Sask. Party government take action to repair the offending legislation in consultation with representatives of the labour movement. The government has steadfastly refused to comply with the ILO ruling and refuses to meet with the labour movement to discuss the matter.

This historic Charter Challenge case will be heard in the Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench from November 14 - 25th, 2011.

Vote to Protect the things that make Saskatchewan great.

Naomi Klein: Protesters Are Seeking Change in the Streets Because It Won’t Come From the Ballot Box - Democracy Now!

Chris Hedges tells it like it is

SFL Labour Issues Campaign

Click here to visit site

Regina's Secret

Know the issues, act on the facts.

In the October edition of the Labour Reporter you’ll find details about some of the things that we’ve been up to over the summer. You’ll have a chance to read about the recent SFL Summer Camp, the progress of Station 20 West, and the recent memorial for Nick Schaack. You’ll also find details about important issues including water, greenhouse gases, and other things to think about prior to the provincial election.

As the next provincial election swiftly approaches, it is extremely important for those of us that live and work in Saskatchewan to consider the issues that are important to us, and important to our families. An election is an important opportunity to discuss ideas and to make decisions about what we want our province’s future to look like.

There are some that say that in Saskatchewan unaccountable, unelected CEOs and their corporations should decide how our province is managed. Those same individuals believe that environmental standards aren’t as important as corporate profits, that regulations protecting working people’s safety aren’t as important as dividends for shareholders, and that the widening gap between the rich and everyone else isn’t as important as the bottom line.

There is another way, and it’s a proud part of our history in Saskatchewan. Instead of handing the keys to the province over to corporations, we can insist that our government keep our province in our own hands! We can insist that we decide what happens with our potash, our water, our conservation lands, and the rest of our beautiful province. The coming election is an opportunity for us to elect members of government that represent our shared values: cooperation, public ownership, and practical local solutions to complicated problems.

In order to help inform people about just some of the issues facing the people of Saskatchewan today, the SFL has ramped up our Labour Issues Campaign. Our sixth Labour Issues booklet, which deals with issues of the environment and the economy, is now available. In the coming days it will be increasingly important to order Labour Issues booklets, to send members to training sessions, or to order presentations. On November 7th let’s demand, with one clear voice, a government that puts the interests of Saskatchewan people first!
Download the October 2011 SFL Labour Reporter here.

Federation of Labour files legal argument in massive law suit against Sask. Party government

Over the summer months, the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour and 25 additional plaintiffs (SFL et al) filed their legal argument in the Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench related to the Charter Challenge by the SFL et al against the Sask. Party government's unconstitutional anti-worker and anti-union legislation.  Legislation which the Wall government introduced and passed in late 2007 and early 2008.

In what is arguably the largest lawsuit ever filed by working men and women against a sitting government in Saskatchewan (and quite possibly Canadian) history, the SFL filed its 230-page legal argument and tendered thousands of pages of evidence.

In support of the SFL et al's case, three additional intervenor unions filed thousands more pages of argument and evidence.  The arguments of the intervenor unions re-inforced that the ill-conceived Bill 5 and Bill 6 violate workers constitutional rights as outlined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 

The intervenor unions are:  Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE); Service Employees International Union - West (SEIU-West); and the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN)

In addition to the Charter Challenge, the SFL and the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees Union (SGEU) won a case in March 2009 wherein the Sask. Party government was found guilty of violating Saskatchewan workers international human rights by the United Nations International Labour Organization . 

The ILO requested that the Sask. Party government take action to repair the offending legislation in consultation with representatives of the labour movement.  The government has steadfastly refused to comply with the ILO ruling and refuses to meet with the labour movement to discuss the matter.

This historic Charter Challenge case will be heard in the Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench from November 14 - 25th, 2011.

Download PDF's of the unions' legal arguments below:

1.  SFL et al argument
2.  CUPE argument
3.  SEIU-West argument
4.  SUN argument

What happens, when no one's there.... to pick up the phone?

We have a choice - SFL Issues Campaign

Check out the newest SFL Labour Issues Campaign Booklet on the economy and the environment. (pdf):  We have a choice

Saskatchewan People Set to Celebrate Labour Day - 2011

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saskatchewan People Set to Celebrate Labour Day

On Monday, September 5th, people across Saskatchewan, of many backgrounds and traditions, spanning several generations, and representing a variety of occupations and professions, will gather together to celebrate Labour Day. Originally a day to commemorate the struggle of working people to reduce the workday to eight hours, Labour Day is an important opportunity not only to celebrate, but also to renew commitments to improving people’s quality of life.

“Labour Day is an extremely important day,” said Larry Hubich, President of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, “not only for the women and men that work in Saskatchewan and across the country, but for all people who now benefit from the efforts of working people. Working people from Saskatchewan have been instrumental in creating many of the things in our society that all people hold dear today: Medicare, pensions, quality education, and laws regarding health and safety, just to name a few.”

First observed as a Canadian national holiday in 1894, Labour Day is now observed in a number of countries across the globe every year. Celebrations typically include barbeques, picnics, and parades, complete with singing, storytelling, and speeches from community leaders.

“As important as it is to celebrate what we have achieved as working people and as a society, it is also important to view Labour Day as an opportunity to renew our commitment to improving the quality of life for the people of the province. We believe that it is always possible to improve upon what we’ve already achieved in our province, and Labour Day is an opportunity to recommit to making those improvements. As the economic gap between the rich and the poor continues to grow, it will be increasingly important for us to strive to improve upon the things that make Saskatchewan a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”

- 30 -

The SFL represents over 98,000 unionized workers across the province in 37 affiliated unions.

Olbermann: Keith's Special Comment: The Four Great Hypocrisies of the Debt Deal

Who gave the G20 commander his commands? - The Real News

Join Us For the Unveiling of a Headstone In Memory of Nick Schaack

Join Us For the Unveiling of a Headstone In Memory of Nick Schaack

What: Unveiling of a commemorative headstone for Nick Schaack, who died as a result of his participation in the Regina Riot, July 1st, 1935, struggling for economic security on behalf of the people of Saskatchewan and all Canadians.

When: Friday, July 1st, 2011 at 11:00am.

Where: We will meet at the Regina Cemetery (the corner of 4th Avenue and Broad Street) for the unveiling ceremony and then travel to the office of the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (2330 2nd Avenue, Regina) for a FREE BBQ!

Who: Everyone is welcome!

Air Canada Workers Make a Deal Under the Gun - The Real News

CAW President Ken Lewenza on Back to Work Legislation

Courageous Page - This is what democracy looks like!