Tuesday, 27 February 2007
PRIVATE AGENCY ‘TEMPS’ SCORE MAJOR ONTARIO
"Temporary workers are, in fact, covered by collective agreements." - OPSEU President Leah Casselman
Toronto (26 Jan. 2007) - In a ruling tht could have far-reaching implications for temporary workers supplied to employers by private agencies, an arbitrator has ruled in favour of a policy grievance filed by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE).
The union argued that the 'temps' were entitled to the terms and conditions of the OPSEU collective agreement.
See here for more details.
Thanks to Rhonda Sussman
Toronto (26 Jan. 2007) - In a ruling tht could have far-reaching implications for temporary workers supplied to employers by private agencies, an arbitrator has ruled in favour of a policy grievance filed by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE).
The union argued that the 'temps' were entitled to the terms and conditions of the OPSEU collective agreement.
See here for more details.
Thanks to Rhonda Sussman
Labels: Labour
Saturday, 17 February 2007
Several TorontoTheBetter retailers sell Zatoun products
This comes from Robert at ZATOUN, fair trade olive oil from PALESTINE:
Zatoun is sold primarily through our activist, grassroots network and via the Internet.
However there are a growing number of retail outlets in the Toronto area, including:
- Karma Co-op
- Fair Trade Clothing
- 4-Life Natural Foods
- Alternative Grounds Coffee House
- Toronto Women's Bookstore
Zatoun is sold primarily through our activist, grassroots network and via the Internet.
However there are a growing number of retail outlets in the Toronto area, including:
- Karma Co-op
- Fair Trade Clothing
- 4-Life Natural Foods
- Alternative Grounds Coffee House
- Toronto Women's Bookstore
Labels: 4-Life Natural Foods, Alternative Grounds, Fair Trade Clothing Co-op, Karma Co-op, Toronto Women's Bookstore, Zatoun
Tuesday, 13 February 2007
2007 TORONTO REGIONAL SUSTAINABLE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE
The Green Building Alliance and the Canadian Urban Institute are hosting SB07 at
the University of Toronto from Thursday May 31st to Friday June 1st.
SB07 Toronto is a two day conference exploring how researchers, designers, local
institutions, and the finance sector are working together to achieve market
transformation.
SB07 will examine the latest advancements in sustainable construction and
technology practices that promote quality of life, stimulate innovation and
support the transformation of ideas about sustainability from concept to
reality.
See the Regional Conference website for further details.
the University of Toronto from Thursday May 31st to Friday June 1st.
SB07 Toronto is a two day conference exploring how researchers, designers, local
institutions, and the finance sector are working together to achieve market
transformation.
SB07 will examine the latest advancements in sustainable construction and
technology practices that promote quality of life, stimulate innovation and
support the transformation of ideas about sustainability from concept to
reality.
See the Regional Conference website for further details.
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY 2007 CONFERENCE IN TORONTO
The ISIE 2007 Conference will be held from Sunday, June 17th to Wednesday, June
20th at the University of Toronto.
The International Society for Industrial Ecology, ISIE, has a worldwide
membership of about 500 leading scientists and engineers broadly concerned with
the technical foundations of sustainable development. The membership, from
academia, industry and government, has expertise in the technological
development and societal progression towards industrial systems that are
compatible with the functioning of natural ecosystems, e.g., efficient use of
energy, material recycling and non-polluting. Many members of the society are
advisors to national governments on matters of environmental technology and
policy.
The 2007 Conference represents a significant move for the International Society
for Industrial Ecology to expand the range of topics and themes beyond those at
their previous conferences. The main themes for the Toronto conference are
Sustainable Social Metabolism, Infrastructure for Sustainable Cities,
Industrial Ecology for Developing Countries, and Transitions to Sustainability
in a Complex World.
For more details, see the conference website.
20th at the University of Toronto.
The International Society for Industrial Ecology, ISIE, has a worldwide
membership of about 500 leading scientists and engineers broadly concerned with
the technical foundations of sustainable development. The membership, from
academia, industry and government, has expertise in the technological
development and societal progression towards industrial systems that are
compatible with the functioning of natural ecosystems, e.g., efficient use of
energy, material recycling and non-polluting. Many members of the society are
advisors to national governments on matters of environmental technology and
policy.
The 2007 Conference represents a significant move for the International Society
for Industrial Ecology to expand the range of topics and themes beyond those at
their previous conferences. The main themes for the Toronto conference are
Sustainable Social Metabolism, Infrastructure for Sustainable Cities,
Industrial Ecology for Developing Countries, and Transitions to Sustainability
in a Complex World.
For more details, see the conference website.
Friday, 9 February 2007
Some places with biodegradable takeout containers
NOW magazine has an insightful one-page article about the pros and cons of different takeout containers this week, see Foam here to eternity.
Several TorontoTheBetter businesses were highlighted as having the best biodegradable takeout containers, including Big Carrot Natural Food Market, Le Cafe Vert, Merchants of Green Coffee and Mercury Espresso Bar.
Several TorontoTheBetter businesses were highlighted as having the best biodegradable takeout containers, including Big Carrot Natural Food Market, Le Cafe Vert, Merchants of Green Coffee and Mercury Espresso Bar.
Labels: Big Carrot, Le Cafe Vert, Merchants of Green Coffee, Mercury Espresso Bar
Tuesday, 6 February 2007
ACTION: SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE FIRSTONTARIO STRIKERS
A second item of note today from Rhonda Sussman and the Centre for the Study of Education and Work (CSEW). FirstOntario *used to* be part of TorontoTheBetter...
-----
A bargaining unit of 70 women in Hamilton, Ontario have been on strike for four months now. Ironically they are on strike against a credit union which was started by unions to protect their members from the banks.
Times have changed though and their employer is now run by management who come from the banking sector and who aspire to create their own little empire - by gouging their employees and demanding massive concessions at the bargaining table. These clawbacks include demands to give up sick days and retirement benefits as well as job security.
Take 30 seconds from your day to send an e-mail in support of these women at:
http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=190
(if the link above is broken, go to http://www.labourstart.org/ and look for the ActNOW! box in green on the left)
-----
A bargaining unit of 70 women in Hamilton, Ontario have been on strike for four months now. Ironically they are on strike against a credit union which was started by unions to protect their members from the banks.
Times have changed though and their employer is now run by management who come from the banking sector and who aspire to create their own little empire - by gouging their employees and demanding massive concessions at the bargaining table. These clawbacks include demands to give up sick days and retirement benefits as well as job security.
Take 30 seconds from your day to send an e-mail in support of these women at:
http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=190
(if the link above is broken, go to http://www.labourstart.org/ and look for the ActNOW! box in green on the left)
LUNCH EVENT: "THE SOCIAL WHAT?: LEARNING ABOUT THE SOCIAL ECONOMY IN ONTARIO HIGH SCHOOLS"
The following comes from Rhonda Sussman of the Centre for the Study of Education and Work (CSEW), a community of practice, engaged in dialogue, research and action on learning and work issues, part of Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto (OISE/UT):
===================================
LUNCH EVENT: "THE SOCIAL WHAT?: LEARNING ABOUT THE SOCIAL ECONOMY IN ONTARIO HIGH SCHOOLS"
The Social Economy Centre (OISE/UT) Presents
The Social What?: Learning About the Social Economy in Ontario High Schools
Panel: Jan Haskings-Winner, Cynthia Lushman, and Daniel Schugurensky
February 21, 2007
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto (OISE/UT)
252 Bloor St. West, Toronto
Room 12-199
Jan Haskings-Winner, textbook writer and economics instructor at OISE/UT (seconded from the TDSB), Cynthia Lushman, Education Officer for the Ontario Co-operative Association, and Daniel Schugurensky, associate professor at OISE/UT, will talk about what Ontario high school students learn about the social economy, especially nonprofit organizations, co-operatives, worker participation, and unions.
This event will be webcast and we will accept email questions from remote participants. Go to the following webpage for detailed instructions to set up for and view the webcast: http://sec.oise.utoronto.ca/english/webcast.php~
Bring your lunch and a mug; coffee, tea and water will be provided. For more information, go to http://sec.oise.utoronto.ca/english/lectures.php
To RSVP, or for more information, contact Sherap Winn at swinn@oise.utoronto.ca~or (416) 923-6641, ext. 2087.
Mark your calendars:
· March 28 - Aboriginal Social Economy Issues
· April 25 - Social Responsibility in Credit Unions
· May 16 - Fair Trade
===================================
LUNCH EVENT: "THE SOCIAL WHAT?: LEARNING ABOUT THE SOCIAL ECONOMY IN ONTARIO HIGH SCHOOLS"
The Social Economy Centre (OISE/UT) Presents
The Social What?: Learning About the Social Economy in Ontario High Schools
Panel: Jan Haskings-Winner, Cynthia Lushman, and Daniel Schugurensky
February 21, 2007
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto (OISE/UT)
252 Bloor St. West, Toronto
Room 12-199
Jan Haskings-Winner, textbook writer and economics instructor at OISE/UT (seconded from the TDSB), Cynthia Lushman, Education Officer for the Ontario Co-operative Association, and Daniel Schugurensky, associate professor at OISE/UT, will talk about what Ontario high school students learn about the social economy, especially nonprofit organizations, co-operatives, worker participation, and unions.
This event will be webcast and we will accept email questions from remote participants. Go to the following webpage for detailed instructions to set up for and view the webcast: http://sec.oise.utoronto.ca/english/webcast.php~
Bring your lunch and a mug; coffee, tea and water will be provided. For more information, go to http://sec.oise.utoronto.ca/english/lectures.php
To RSVP, or for more information, contact Sherap Winn at swinn@oise.utoronto.ca~or (416) 923-6641, ext. 2087.
Mark your calendars:
· March 28 - Aboriginal Social Economy Issues
· April 25 - Social Responsibility in Credit Unions
· May 16 - Fair Trade
Sweethearts Craft Fair at Good Catch
Good Catch General Store is hosting a Sweethearts Craft Fair Saturday, February 10th, 2007, from noon to 5 pm.
Artisans to be featured include Coldsnap Bindery, Emma Segal, Laura Curley, Misanthrope Specialty Co., Papersnake Jewelery, Saddle Kobayashi, Soap Buds, and Sweetie Pie Press.
Artisans to be featured include Coldsnap Bindery, Emma Segal, Laura Curley, Misanthrope Specialty Co., Papersnake Jewelery, Saddle Kobayashi, Soap Buds, and Sweetie Pie Press.
Labels: Good Catch General Store
