Labour

• “In 2024, threats to our way of life have surpassed terrorism as Australia’s principal security concern,” he said.
• Tensions, especially in western Sydney, are much elevated because of the Middle East conflict.
• And the Wakeley attack came just two days after the Bondi Junction shopping centre stabbings, which killed six people.
• While that atrocity did not fall under the definition of “terrorism”, inevitably the two incidents were conflated by an alarmed public.
• The challenge for political leaders is not just dealing with the immediate increasing threats to cohesion, but with longer term policy.
• Andrew Jakubowicz, emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Technology Sydney, highlights the three separate elements of multiculturalism.

“Settlement policy, which deals with arrival, survival and orientation, and the emergence of bonding within the group and finding employment, housing and education
"Multicultural policy, which ensures that institutions in society identify and respond to needs over the life course and in changing life circumstances, and
"Community Relations policy, which includes building skills in intercultural relations, engagement with the power hierarchies of society and the inclusion of diversity into the fabric of decision-making in society - from politics to education to health to the arts.”

• The Albanese government last year commissioned an independent review of the present multicultural framework.
• Although the review is not due for release until mid-year, the May budget is likely to see some initiatives.

Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• Canada’s oil and gas sector is in the throes of profound change driven by shifting consumer demand and global commitments to dramatically lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• But are industry and politicians sincere in their affection for oil and gas workers?
• Or, are energy workers merely a convenient vehicle to shield the industry from change that many Canadians believe is inevitable?

Picket lines

• We found the company used expanding pipeline capacity and Canada’s emission reduction policies to justify its push to force workers to take concessions.
• The lockout came to an end in June 2020 when Local 594 members ratified an agreement with FCL.

“Just” transition?

• Just this month federal Conservatives, conservative provincial governments and protesters came out strong against the increase to the Trudeau government’s signature climate policy — the price on carbon.
• The Liberal government has faced significant backlash against its other climate policies as well, including the oil and gas emissions cap.
• Conservatives position themselves as the voice of fossil fuel workers, who they cast as victims of carbon pricing and other federal environmental policies.
• Shuttered factories and their laid-off employees are victims of Liberal anti-oil policies, industry proponents insist.

Questions unanswered

• Time and again governments, local police and courts advanced the interests of industry over those of unionized workers.
• Or, will the inevitable winding down of extractive fossil fuel industries lead to acrimonious labour relations and social injustice?
• The path designed by powerful oil and gas interests is not one that puts workers or communities first.

• Emily Eaton receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
• Andrew Stevens receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the University of Regina (U of R fund: Unifor Scholar in Labour Relations).

• Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announces that its Chief People Officer, Amy Hanlon-Rodemich, will leave the company and step down from its Group Leadership Team.
• A recruitment process will begin immediately for her successor and Amy will retain an advisory role during her notice period.
• Amy joined Nokia in 2022 and has been key to renewing the company’s people services and employee experience.
• Lorna Gibb, Vice President, Labor & Employment, will assume the role of interim Chief People Officer for Nokia as the search commences.

• The Schwab Trading Activity Index™ (STAX) increased to 51.65 in March, up from its score of 47.65 in February.
• View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240408112995/en/
  Schwab Trading Activity Index March 2024 (Graphic: Charles Schwab)
  The reading for the four-week period ending March 28, 2024 ranks “moderate” compared to historic averages and marks the highest reading since May 2022.
• “In the face of undeniably mixed macroeconomic data, the markets soared this month, and the STAX score continued its rise in step,” said Joe Mazzola, Director of Trading and Education at Charles Schwab.
• “Despite the market highs, however, Schwab clients remain in the moderate range of market exposure as measured by the STAX.