
Bob Barnetson
Dr. Bob Barnetson is a professor of labour relations at Athabasca University. His research focuses on the political economy of workplace regulation in Alberta with specific attention to occupational injury, child labour and farm worker rights. Barnetson is the author of several Parkland Institute reports and blog posts. His recent books include Canada’s labour market training system (Athabasca U Press, 2018), Farm workers in Alberta (UAlberta Press, 2016), and Health and safety in Canadian workplaces (Athabasca U Press, 2016).
Twitter: @bobbarnetson
Farm injury data supports mandatory safety rules and injury compensation
blog | Sep 03, 2018Bob Barnetson looks at what WCB data reveals about the impact of mandatory workers’ compensation coverage for paid, non-family farm workers in Alberta.
Despite realpolitik, new farm worker safety rules are a significant win
blog | Jul 03, 2018While the government's new Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) rules affecting paid, non-family farm workers in Alberta represent a significant win for farm worker safety, a number of troubling exceptions will continue to heighten the risk of farm worker injury and death.
Proposed child labour laws are naïve and dangerous
blog | Jun 26, 2018Labour relations professor Bob Barnetson explains why new rules regulating youth employment introduced as part of the Alberta government's sweeping update to employment standards could make a bad situation even worse for young workers.
Safer by Design: How Alberta Can Improve Workplace Safety
research | Apr 27, 2018Based on a survey of 2,000 Alberta workers, this report looks at the failure of the occupational health and safety system to keep workers in the province safe, and makes recommendations to reduce the number of occupational fatalities, injuries, and illnesses.
Health and safety review is long overdue
blog | Sep 15, 2017The Alberta government is reviewing its Occupational Health and Safety Act for the first time since it was enacted in 1976. Based on the results of a recent worker survey, here are suggestions for changes that can be made to increase worker and workplace safety.
'Not a cutting-edge, lead-the-country reform': An overview of the changes proposed in Bill 17
blog | May 29, 2017Bill 17 would introduce the first substantive changes to Alberta's labour legislation in 30 years. Bob Barnetson looks at what the new rules would mean for Alberta workers.
Farm worker injury study bolsters arguments for farm safety legislation
blog | Feb 24, 2017A 2015 report prepared for the former Progressive Conservative government and released after a freedom of information request reveals the extent of farm worker injuries and a lack of adequate insurance coverage for paid employees on farms.
Are Bill 6 recommendations about saving lives or saving money?
blog | Jan 05, 2017Bill 6 (the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act) extends basic occupational health and safety rights to paid Alberta farm workers, but recommendations from a government-appointed working group on employment standards would weaken those basic protections.
Buried and Forgotten: Newspaper Coverage of Workplace Injury and Death in Alberta
research | Apr 27, 2016Newspapers are one of the main public sources of information about workplace injuries and fatalities, but the analysis in this report suggests Alberta newspaper articles are creating an inaccurate picture of workplace incidents.
The essentials of Alberta's new essential services bill
blog | Mar 16, 2016The provincial government has introduced Bill 4, which gives most public sector workers the right to strike for the first time in decades. Athabasca University labour relations professor Bob Barnetson looks at what impact the legislation could have on labour relations with the province's workers.