What Educators Really Need

By teacher and Solidarity Halifax member Ben Sichel. Originally published at no need to raise your hand. The authors of a couple of reports by right-wing think-tanks have been doing their best to discredit teachers in Nova Scotia this past month. I’d rather not mention the names of the think-tanks or their authors, so they … [Read More]

Nova Scotia: We Have Everything We Need to Succeed

Solidarity Halifax member Larry Haiven wrote the following as the concluding piece to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ Nova Scotia Alternative Budget for 2014. Among the budget’s co-authors are Kyle Buott, Larry Haiven, James Hutt and Ben Sichel, all members of Solidarity Halifax.  Originally published at Behind the Numbers. __________ Preamble: The concluding piece … [Read More]

Postal banking viable venture

By Scott Domenie, member of Solidarity Halifax and of Nova Scotia ACORN. Originally published in The Chronicle Herald.   Last December, Canada Post announced it would cut door-to-door mail delivery and drastically increase the price of postage in 2014. All of this, we were told, was necessary in light of declining letter-mail volume and a … [Read More]

Talking education with Rick Howe

By Ben Sichel, high school teacher and member of Solidarity Halifax. Originally published at noneedtoraiseyourhand. Rick Howe invited me on his show on News 95.7 in Halifax today to discuss the education review panel that was recently announced for Nova Scotia. We talked about the broader context in which the review is taking place – … [Read More]

‘Union boss’ a belaboured epithet

By Larry Haiven, business professor at Saint Mary’s University and member of Solidarity Halifax. Originally published in The Chronicle Herald. In the brouhaha over essential services legislation, Government House Leader Michel Samson used the term “union bosses.” This insulting epithet is all too common, conjuring up unelected and conspiratorial dictators. But how true is it? … [Read More]

Should Health Care Workers be allowed to strike?

Larry Haiven, Professor at St. Mary’s University and member of Solidarity Halifax who’s written extensively about union/management relations is a guest on CBC’s Maritime Connection to discuss health care workers’ right to strike. >> LISTEN HERE     Note: Statements by Solidarity Halifax members do not necessarily reflect positions held by the organization.  

Who’s reviewing Nova Scotia’s education system?

By Ben Sichel, member of Solidarity Halifax.  Originally published at no need to raise your hand.   A teacher told me the other day she’d like to be on an official panel that reviews dentistry practices. As a person with teeth, she feels she has a good understanding of how the job works. She was … [Read More]

The Right to Strike is Good For Your Health

A Look At The Health Impacts Of The Nova Scotia Liberal’s Attack On Workers’ Rights By Jason Edwards, former member of Solidarity Halifax and supporter from away. Originally published at Rankandfile.ca   On Saturday, Nova Scotia’s legislature, led by Liberal Premier Stephen McNeil, came together to pass essential service legislation, forcing home-support workers from Northwood Homecare … [Read More]

Loretta's Disappearance Part of a Horrific Pattern

Missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada by Solidarity Halifax member Hillary Bain Lindsay. Originally published by the Halifax Media Coop.   K’JIPUKTUK (Halifax) – On February 13, The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) delivered over 23,000 signatures to the House of Commons in support of NWAC’s call for a National Public Inquiry into … [Read More]

Social Darwinism with a Folksy Charm: Leo Glavine’s food politics

Solidarity Halifax member Scott Domenie writes a response to Health Minister Leo Glavine’s recent open letter in which he ignores social determinants of health when blaming people for overburdening health care services. Originally published at Left Turn East. Nova Scotia’s Liberal Health Minister, Leo Glavine wants us to make healthier life choices. He thinks that … [Read More]