Halloween 2025 is a scary time for employers and employees
This Halloween, the labour market is particularly scary for many Canadian workers. A series of high-profile union strikes have raised questions about present and future conditions for employees in some economic sectors. Consider as examples: Air Canada, Canada Post, Dalhousie University, St. Mary’s University, BC Public Service Workers, and more. In an October 24th, 2025 CTV News report, Danny Cavanaugh, President of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour, said that “Workers are really struggling. The price for housing, groceries, gas – everything is going up, but their pay isn’t keeping pace with inflation.”
Some thoughts to consider:
Erosion of Real Wages: Inflation has reduced purchasing power, making it harder to fund everyday life. This can lead to demands for higher wages and cost of living adjustment mechanisms during collective bargaining in an effort to keep up with the rising cost of living.
Job Security Concerns: Instability caused by inflation, tariffs, and technological change can lead to layoffs, threats of job loss, and reduced hiring can increase operational costs for businesses, potentially leading to layoffs or attrition (reduced hiring).
What does this mean for employers and employees? It likely means that, for some, the current economy is haunted house that will present some unexpected scares in the weeks and months to come. We should brace ourselves accordingly!