The Mike Smyth Show The Mike Smyth Show

Why does it seem there’s constant job action across Canada?

Jul 27, 2026 · 8m

Summary

Host Rob Fay discusses the BC nurses' strike resolution with McGill professor Barry Eidlin, who attributes rising labor unrest to stagnant wages, pandemic impacts, and a cost-of-living crisis. Eidlin argues that strikes are not signs of stronger unions but rather worker militancy responding to degraded work conditions. He views this activism as an alarm for the struggling middle class and underfunded healthcare systems.

Topics discussed

Sponsor message for Claude by Anthropic BC Nurses Union accepts arbitration recommendations Introduction to the broader labor unrest topic Historical context of current strike levels Four trends driving recent labor conflicts Contagion effect of successful strikes Worker combativeness vs union membership growth Pandemic's role in recognizing shared struggles Strikes as an alarm for middle-class health Healthcare strikes highlighting system funding issues
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