Susan Cake

Susan Cake is an assistant professor in human resources and labour relations. Susan has been with Athabasca University since 2020. Prior to joining AU, Susan was a worker advocate specializing in the areas of occupational health and safety, workers’ compensation systems, and pensions. Susan’s research interests include union relevance and renewal, care work, and early learning and child care. Susan is the current chair of Child Care Now Alberta and a board member of Child Care Now.

authortag: author_susan_cake

A Thumb on the Scale: Alberta Government Interference in Public-Sector Bargaining

research | Feb 19, 2024

In 2024, about 200,000 public-sector Alberta workers will be negotiating new contracts. This report examines the ways governments, and specifically the Government of Alberta, interfere in public-sector collective bargaining. It also explores how this growing interference may impact the 2024 bargaining round. The report concludes by offering several options for how public-sector workers and their unions can respond to growing government interference, both at the bargaining table and through increased political pressure.

Six Worries for Workers This Labour Day: What can we expect from the re-elected UCP government?

blog | Sep 04, 2023

What can Alberta workers expect from this United Conservative Party government? The UCP’s first term cheapened labour costs for employers, while its 2023 election platform contained few promises related to labour and employment matters. This post presents six labour-related issues that should be on every worker’s radar over the next four years.

Boom, Bust, and Consolidation: Corporate Restructuring in the Alberta Oil Sands

research | Nov 08, 2018

This report for the Corporate Mapping Project analyzes the accumulation dynamics of the 'Big Five' oil sands producers through the latest commodity cycle of boom, bust, and consolidation.