Sears Canada, WestJet and swearing.

Hamilton Today with Scott Thompson

Sears Canada employees are seeking a continuation of their health benefits through to October as the company restructures under creditor protection. The request is one of several motions being heard today at the Ontario Superior Court which granted Sears creditor protection. The motion says $7.6 million in discretionary retention payments for key employees should have a lower priority than the claims by employees who have been laid off or given notice that they will lose their jobs without severance in the coming months. Do they have a shot?

Guest: Marvin Ryder. Business Professor, DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University.

WestJet CEO Gregg Saretsky sent an email to employees warning against unionization of airline staff. A spokeswoman for WestJet confirmed the authenticity of the email, adding that it is part of an effort to ensure staff are “armed with facts.” The email specifically aims at union dues, saying that
employees would pay $16.6 million a year if the unionization is successful. CUPE is saying that the email is, “way out of whack.” The unionization drive comes at a time of rapid growth for the airline.

Guest: Christo Aivalis, Queen's University, Labour and Political History Professor.

Austrialian mommy blogger Constance Hall wants people to know that she swears in front of her children and that she doesn’t care. Hall insists that her kids haven’t picked up the habit. What effect does swearing in front of children have on their development?

Guest: Maureen Dennis, Mom of Four, Parenting Expert and Founder of Wee Welcome.ca