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Gil McGowan

@gilmcgowan

9 May

On May 9, 1992, an underground methane explosion killed 26 miners working at the #Westray Coal Mine in Pictou County, NS. Despite overwhelming evidence, all attempts to prosecute the negligent employer failed. The lack of justice deepened the tragedy. #AbLeg #canlab #cdnpoli

@SteelworkersCA

This led the @SteelworkersCA & the Canadian labour movement to advocate for changes in the law. It took 11 years, but the lobbying eventually led to the passage of the Westray Act, which amended the Criminal Code so employers could be held criminally liable for worker deaths.

Here in Alberta, the AFL, our affiliates and our allies successfully lobbied the provincial government and 10 police forces to sign an agreement that they would use the Westray Act more often in cases of employer negligence causing worker deaths. jdsupra.com/legalnews/albe…

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Gil McGowan

@gilmcgowan

10 Mar

@SPhillipsAB

At a news conference this morning, the Lethbridge Police Chief said “only God can judge” if officers on his force are guilty of illegally stalking MLA @SPhillipsAB. 🤯 Really? I thought people judging people was the whole point of the justice system. #AbLeg #abpoli #cdnpoli

He also characterized the illegal surveillance conducted against Phillips as “mistakes.” These are not mistakes! They’re illegal acts!

He also said “this is an individual problem, not an organizational problem. Really? It looks like six officers were involved. And where did they get the impression that this would be okay for them to do in work time. This is not just a few bad apples. It’s a culture problem.

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Gil McGowan

@gilmcgowan

8 Mar

Women and COVID: “Women at the front-lines have been under immense pressure from Day 1. From mothers and health-care workers, to teachers and grocery clerks, this last year has placed a disproportionate burden on women.” #IWD2021 #AbLeg #abpoli #cdnpoli calgaryherald.com/opinion/column…

@ArmineYalnizyan

In addition to being disproportionately represented in front line jobs, women have also suffered a disproportionate share of job losses. As a result of what economist @ArmineYalnizyan accurately calls the “she-cession” women in Alberta have lost 30 years of labour market gains.

https://twitter.com/armineyalnizyan/status/1368306577854377988

A new report shows that almost half a million women who last their jobs as a result of the pandemic still hadn’t returned to the workforce by January 1. 200,000 are now classified as “long-term unemployed.” thestar.com/business/2021/…

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Gil McGowan

@gilmcgowan

10 Feb

Ralph Bucks 2.0? In about an hour, the UCP will announce that 300,000 frontline workers will each get one-time $1,200 cheques. Too bad it took months of shaming by Alberta unions and the media for them to get the cheques out the door. #AbLeg #abpoli #cdnpoli #canlab

Keep in mind, most of the money is coming from the federal government. It’s from a federal program announced last May that provides $3 if provinces agreed to pony up $1. The UCP has been holding things up for months because they refused to kick in their share.

So, we can put this under the heading “better late than never,” I guess. Things to watch for:
- who will the UCP deem eligible/worthy?
- will the money go directly to workers, or will it go to employers first (if employers, then how do we ensure it eventually gets to workers?)

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Gil McGowan

@gilmcgowan

8 Feb

Here’s the headline from yesterday’s Houston Chronicle: “End of fossil fuel’s dominance in sight.” One expert says “The energy transition is a matter of when, not if.” Texans have gotten the memo. Perhaps they should share it with Kenney & the UCP #EnergyTransition #AbLeg #abpoli

The story is behind the Chronicle’s paywall, but Shell helpfully posted the full text version on their website (under the headline “Big Oil’s future could be smaller than its past” ... different headline, but it’s the same story). royaldutchshellplc.com/2021/02/07/big…

Highlights: Exxon, BP posted record losses in 2020 of $22.4B, $20.3B, and $21.7B respectively. At the same time. Texas lost 60,000 jobs oil and gas jobs last year. I guess it’s not Trudeau and Notley’s fault after all!

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Gil McGowan

@gilmcgowan

9 Dec 20

The UCP has made sweeping changes to the workplace Health & Safety Act and the Workers Compensation Act. As a result of Bill 47, Albertans are more likely to be injured or killed on the job. And if they’re injured, they’re less likely to get the support they need.#AbLeg #abpoli

Bill 47 was rammed through this morning. Some of the horrible changes it makes to WCB include:
*removes requirement for employers to hire back injured workers
*removes obligation of employers to continue paying benefits to injured workers
*removes PTSD coverage for most workers

It also makes changes to the OHS Act, including the following:
*It severely limits the right to know about hazards on your worksite
*It undermines workplace safety committees and the right for workers to participate in safety decisions
*It guts the right to refuse unsafe work.

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