Labour News Roundup
For those of you who may have missed the top stories here's the news we think you should know:
1. Inc. Magazine: The 5 Hardest Jobs to Fill in 2012
By Keith Cline, Posted: Dec. 19, 2011
"Hiring the best of the best is an absolute must if you are going to build a successful company. You will need to be prepared to compete against big companies with deep pockets and other up-and-coming startups that also have blue chip investors and a game-changing idea.
So, what are the most competitive areas for talent these days?"
2. The Windsor Star: Oil, gas sector supplier moving here, will hire 40
By Dave Hall, Posted: Dec. 22, 2011
“A manufacturing company benefiting from Alberta's booming oil and gas sector has picked Windsor as the best location to set up a new plant that will employ 40 people."
3. The Windsor Star: Two great years forecast for automotive tooling industry – 2012 & '13 could be best years in a decade
By Chris Vander Doelen, Posted: Dec. 25, 2011
"Not only are the survivors of the machine, tool, die and mould making (MTDM) industries finishing 2011 in robust financial health, they promise to do even better in 2012 and 2013 – much better, in fact, observers and insiders say. "
4. The Windsor Star: Time to reform principals' roles, responsibilities
By Joe Killoran and Brendan Sweeney, Posted: Dec. 26, 2011
"Today's principals, through no fault of their own, are often ill-equipped to meet the demands of an increasingly complex occupation, the demands of which leave little time to interact with pupils or staff. These may be among the reasons Ontario school boards face challenges in principal recruitment and retention – a persistent problem expected to worsen as the workforce ages."
5. The Windsor Star: Essex County Greenhouse boom has legs, town says
By Sharon Hill, Posted: Dec. 27, 2011
"The $100-million greenhouse building boom in Leamington and Kingsville shows no signs of slowing down in 2012.
Gilvesy said with the 100 acres added in 2011, the number of vegetable greenhouses in Ontario has gone from 1,919 acres to more than 2,000 acres. Much of that, about 1,700 acres, are in the Leamington, Kingsville and Essex County area.
He said the association plans to survey growers to get a better idea of the number of expansions and where they are going to help in planning hydro and gas services.
The average vegetable greenhouse in Ontario is 8.5 acres with the largest greenhouse complex at 95 acres.
If the expected 450 to 500 acres were built in the next few years, the association expects that would mean $158 million a year more in sales and about 1,000 jobs, Gilvesy said.
There's a movement toward healthy eating and buyers are shifting their purchases from field to greenhouse vegetables, Gilvesy said of the many expansion plans. "
6. Canadian Business Magazine: CAW chief sees tough 2012 for labour as year starts with two major lockouts
By Craig Wong from The Canadian Press, Posted: Jan. 3, 2012
"Lockouts at two major industrial plants in central Canada — an Alcan smelter in Quebec and a locomotive plant in London, Ont. — may signal a tough year ahead in Canadian labour relations.
Canadian Auto Workers president Ken Lewenza said the lockouts suggest 2012 will be a difficult year for organized labour as his union prepares for the next round of negotiations with the major North American automakers and governments across the country look to cut spending."
7. Blackburn News: Job Growth Positive Signs
By Adelle Loiselle, Posted: Jan. 4, 2012
"There’s a positive indication of future job growth in Windsor in the Conference Board of Canada’s help-wanted index.
The monthly index monitors the number of help-wanted ads in 70 online publications. Although the index doesn’t use industry specific data, it’s considered a good predictor of job growth in 26 cities across Canada. Windsor is one of 14 cities that show an increase in help-wanted ads."
8. The Windsor Star: Need for skilled trades rises: database director
By Dave Hall, Posted: Jan. 5, 2012
“Despite the massive job cuts the local sector has absorbed in the past couple of years, manufacturing shouldn't be counted out just yet, according to the executive director of Workforce WindsorEssex.
Donna Marentette said the sector 'seems to be on the rebound, particularly in the area of skilled trades, where there's a growing shortage.
'The main problem seems to be finding apprenticeship opportunities for people seeking skilled trades positions.'"
9. The Windsor Star: Not all parkway jobs up for grabs - Union rules prevent hiring of only locals
By Claire Brownell, Posted: Jan. 6, 2012
“Out-of-work Windsorites hoping to land a Windsor-Essex Parkway construction job may find it’s not as easy as handing in a resume and picking up a shovel."
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation estimates parkway construction will generate 12,000 jobs, but that includes industries benefiting from the boost to the local economy. One of those industries is the hotel business, since contracts going to firms based outside the region and rules at one union that don’t give priority to local residents mean some of the jobs are going to out-of-towners.
10. The Windsor Star: Older workers to get help
By Dave Hall, Posted: Jan. 6, 2012
“More than 170 area workers between the ages of 55 and 64 have been aided by the programs run by the UHC and the City of Windsor’s department of employment and social services.
On Thursday, the two projects received a further $1.7 million in funding over two years from the provincial and federal governments in an announcement made by Diane Finley, federal minister of human resources and skills development."
Do you have news we should know? Contact us and we'll review it for our Roundup.
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