Tops and flops in the world of work in 2012: an inconclusive year

MONTREAL, Dec. 20, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - There's no doubt about it, 2012 was anything but calm in terms of labour and employment. Below are some of the tops and flops noted by the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés.

The tops

• The Syndicat des cols bleus de Montréal and the City of Montreal ratified an agreement three months before their collective agreement was scheduled to expire. Described as historic by both parties, this agreement was the outcome of eighteen months of negotiations. Bravo!
• 2012 was a festive year for the world of work in Quebec. The ministère du Travail celebrated its 80th anniversary, while the Commission de relations du travail (Quebec Labour Relations Board) marked its 10th.

The flops

• White Birch Papers Stadacona mill in the Quebec City region shut down its operations for more than nine months. On the verge of bankruptcy, the company asked its workers and retirees to make significant concessions. Workers agreed to a pay cut of some 10%, while retirees saw their annuities reduced by 30%.
• Aveos Fleet Performance Inc., formerly owned by Air Canada, declared bankruptcy in the spring. The company's closure resulted in the loss of 1,800 jobs in Canada, 1,200 of which were in the Montreal area.
• Steven Harper's federal government introduced special legislation to regulate labour relations in companies considered indispensible to the Canadian economy. This year, Labour Minister Lisa Raitt brought in back-to-work legislation for Air Canada pilots (March 12) and Canadian Pacific employees (May 28).

Unclassifiable

• In 2012, the federal government began a reform of the employment insurance program that seems to suggest there may be some grey areas ahead for seasonal workers, particularly in the construction and tourism industries. More details on this reform should be available in early 2013.
• After 40 months of dispute, the Au Roi du Coq Rôti restaurant in Sherbrooke finally reopened its doors on January 16.
• The mayor of Quebec City, Régis Labeaume, made pension plans a priority in 2012. According to five major Quebec City Unions ‒ the Syndicat des cols bleus de Québec, the Fraternité des Policiers et Policières de la Ville de Québec, the Association des pompiers professionnels de Québec, the Alliance des professionnels et des professionnelles de la ville de Québec and the Syndicat des fonctionnaires municipaux de Québec ‒ the only issue that seemed to be settled during meetings with the different unions is that pension plans will be treated individually at the negotiating table.

For an interview with Florent Francoeur, CHRP, President and CEO of the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés, please contact Justine Delisle, CHRP.

About the Ordre
With close to 8,700 members, the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés is the fifth largest association of its kind in the world. It is the only organization in Quebec mandated to award human resources professionals a title certifying their competency.

The Ordre is a leader in employee management practices. Committed to innovation, it supports the ongoing development of human resources professionals (CHRPs) and industrial relations counsellors (CIRCs), thus helping to maintain a healthy balance between employee well-being and organizational success. It is vigilant in ensuring that this multifaceted function promotes leading-edge solutions that address the major issues impacting the workforce.

Through its actions in the public arena, the Ordre contributes to the advancement and reputation of the profession and plays a key influential role in the world of work in Quebec.

SOURCE: ORDRE DES CONSEILLERS EN RESSOURCES HUMAINES AGREES

Justine Delisle, CHRP
Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés
Tel.: [phone], ext. 235; 1 800 214 1609
Cell phone: [phone]
[email protected]