1. City of Regina throws a flag on bus driver union
The city of Regina has filed an unfair labour practice complaint against the bus drivers union with the Labour Relations Board. With the 2013 Grey Cup coming to Regina this November, the city suggests the union is putting on an illegal hold. They say the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 588 has not been bargaining in good faith.
Union members voted 94 per cent in favour of job action, but denied that it would involve walking off the job during Grey Cup. The work action would more likely involve refusing overtime and not wearing uniforms. The union says the city’s complaint is just delay of game – a stalling tactic to push negotiations until after Grey Cup. [Source: CBC]
2. The Manitoba film industry is flourishing
On Screen Manitoba released a study showing a production volume of $129.9 million in 2012-2013 and a total production volume over the last five years of $542.3 million. A shift from foreign location service productions to a focus on co-productions is credited with the increase in production. [Source: CBC]
3. Banksy suggests new WTC tower is bland as Canada
In an opinion piece he published on his website the world’s most famous graffiti artist told New Yorkers that the new skyscraper at the World Trade Center site is “shy,” unworthy of New York’s bold spirit, and “vanilla. It looks like something they would build in Canada.”
Start feeling miffed and providing counter-examples or hang your head in agreement now.
4. Prominent Saudi rights lawyer jailed
Prominent Saudi rights lawyer Waleed Abulkhair has been sentenced to three months in prison over a petition he signed two years ago criticizing authorities. The court in the western Saudi city of Jeddah handed down the sentence on Tuesday, citing the lawyer’s signing of a petition criticizing sentences given to 16 Islamists in 2011.
Abulkhair’s Facebook group “Monitor of Human Rights in Saudi” has nearly 7,000 members. [Source: Indian Express]
5. Senate scandal recap
From the original Duffy denials and the game of “Where’s Wallin?” (not Wadena, very often) to the PM chief of staff bailout cheques and the PM chief of staff dismissals – the senate scandal has been a lot of fun. The National Post has a handy timeline to help you relive it all, or get brought up to speed.
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Ross McCannell is the arts editor at the Spectator Tribune. Twitter @RossMcCannell