Emma Arkell
@emmaarkell.bsky.social
🔎 Labour Reporter @pressprogress.ca // words and photos in Chatelaine, Jacobin, The Tyee, Xtra etc. // UFCW 1006A 🤝
Sign up for the Shift Work newsletter
↗️ pressprogress.ca/shiftwork/
Sign up for the Shift Work newsletter
↗️ pressprogress.ca/shiftwork/
Pinned
Bike mechanics want the government to recognize the job as a distinct profession and skilled trade.
Right now, they're officially grouped with workers who repair accordions, jukeboxes and the safety valves on pipelines.
pressprogress.ca/bike-mechani...
Right now, they're officially grouped with workers who repair accordions, jukeboxes and the safety valves on pipelines.
pressprogress.ca/bike-mechani...
We Don’t Know How Many Bike Mechanics Are in Canada. That’s a Problem.
Workers who service bicycles want the government to recognize the job as a distinct profession and skilled trade
pressprogress.ca
Bike mechanics are vital to the shift to greener transportation, but they typically do work that’s precarious, low-pay and not backed up by formal training.
Mechanics want that to change, but they’ve got a bureaucratic hurdle in the way: a dedicated NOC code.
my latest for @pressprogress.ca ⬇️
Mechanics want that to change, but they’ve got a bureaucratic hurdle in the way: a dedicated NOC code.
my latest for @pressprogress.ca ⬇️
Reposted by Emma Arkell
A failed UCP candidate is suing @pressprogress.ca for reporting and quoting things she said.
With no anti-SLAPP protection in Alberta, they've been drawn into a long, costly legal battle.
If you believe in accountability and a free press, and can spare it, give them your support.
With no anti-SLAPP protection in Alberta, they've been drawn into a long, costly legal battle.
If you believe in accountability and a free press, and can spare it, give them your support.
@pressprogress.ca needs your solidarity and support right now more than ever
We’re raising money to pay our legal bills – and to be blunt, we’re going to need a lot of help
If you’re able, please help us out and support our Journalism Defence Fund:
pressprogress.ca/journalism-d...
We’re raising money to pay our legal bills – and to be blunt, we’re going to need a lot of help
If you’re able, please help us out and support our Journalism Defence Fund:
pressprogress.ca/journalism-d...
PressProgress: Defend Canadian Journalism
pressprogress.ca
November 9, 2025 at 4:11 PM
A failed UCP candidate is suing @pressprogress.ca for reporting and quoting things she said.
With no anti-SLAPP protection in Alberta, they've been drawn into a long, costly legal battle.
If you believe in accountability and a free press, and can spare it, give them your support.
With no anti-SLAPP protection in Alberta, they've been drawn into a long, costly legal battle.
If you believe in accountability and a free press, and can spare it, give them your support.
Reposted by Emma Arkell
it's really weird to have developed super specialized knowledge of the art industry and art crime for three years and then just suddenly stop developing it or reporting on it due to a layoff; but this happens to so many reporters and then I see discussions about declining public trust in the media
November 8, 2025 at 5:05 PM
it's really weird to have developed super specialized knowledge of the art industry and art crime for three years and then just suddenly stop developing it or reporting on it due to a layoff; but this happens to so many reporters and then I see discussions about declining public trust in the media
Great reporting from @brishti.bsky.social on today's verdict in the Drug User Liberation Front trial
Full article is up.
“There is no issue that the Crown has proven the essential elements of the offence of [possession for the purpose of trafficking],” Murray said. “However, this case is not that straightforward.”
Read more at @pressprogress.ca pressprogress.ca/founders-of-...
“There is no issue that the Crown has proven the essential elements of the offence of [possession for the purpose of trafficking],” Murray said. “However, this case is not that straightforward.”
Read more at @pressprogress.ca pressprogress.ca/founders-of-...
Founders of groundbreaking Vancouver compassion club found guilty of drug trafficking
Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum, who sold club members drugs they had tested for safety, plan to launch a constitutional challenge against Canada's drug laws on November 24.
pressprogress.ca
November 8, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Great reporting from @brishti.bsky.social on today's verdict in the Drug User Liberation Front trial
Reposted by Emma Arkell
Drug User Liberation Front founders Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum have been found guilty of all charges. A lot people upset in this courtroom right now.
Defence going to be mounting a constitutional challenge.
Defence going to be mounting a constitutional challenge.
November 7, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Drug User Liberation Front founders Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum have been found guilty of all charges. A lot people upset in this courtroom right now.
Defence going to be mounting a constitutional challenge.
Defence going to be mounting a constitutional challenge.
I wish the lives of our friends and family members were valued more than upholding drug prohibition
November 7, 2025 at 6:39 PM
I wish the lives of our friends and family members were valued more than upholding drug prohibition
Reposted by Emma Arkell
"DULF produced a peer-reviewed study that showed after about one year none of its compassion club members had died. Members reported having fewer overdoses and engaging in less crime"
Breaking: the founders of DULF have been found guilty of three counts of drug trafficking. @michellegamage.bsky.social will have the full story later today thetyee.ca/News/2025/10...
Safe Drugs on Trial: DULF’s Trafficking Case Begins | The Tyee
The founders are charged with trafficking. Their lawyers argue they had a legal exemption from drug laws.
thetyee.ca
November 7, 2025 at 6:27 PM
"DULF produced a peer-reviewed study that showed after about one year none of its compassion club members had died. Members reported having fewer overdoses and engaging in less crime"
Brishti's at the BC Supreme Court for the Drug User Liberation Front verdict
Founders of Vancouver’s Drug User Liberation Front Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalinin have just been found guilty of drug trafficking.
Justice Murray rules CDSA exemption didn’t include procurement & distribution.
“There is no doubt all of DULF’s actions were for one purpose.”
@pressprogress.ca
Justice Murray rules CDSA exemption didn’t include procurement & distribution.
“There is no doubt all of DULF’s actions were for one purpose.”
@pressprogress.ca
November 7, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Brishti's at the BC Supreme Court for the Drug User Liberation Front verdict
happy new danny brown album day to all who celebrate
November 7, 2025 at 5:34 PM
happy new danny brown album day to all who celebrate
Reposted by Emma Arkell
BC's anti-SLAPP legislation was critical to keeping a meritless lawsuit @torimarlan.bsky.social and I faced to the "affordable" sum of ~$50k in legal fees. Journalists like Luke not protected by these laws have much higher exposure — even when, like us, they did nothing wrong.
In other provinces, journalists can use anti-SLAPP legislation to challenge lawsuits when they believe they are groundless or undermine the public interest
Alberta has no such laws, leaving journalists vulnerable to long and expensive legal battles
I believe that is fundamentally bad for democracy
Alberta has no such laws, leaving journalists vulnerable to long and expensive legal battles
I believe that is fundamentally bad for democracy
November 7, 2025 at 4:04 PM
BC's anti-SLAPP legislation was critical to keeping a meritless lawsuit @torimarlan.bsky.social and I faced to the "affordable" sum of ~$50k in legal fees. Journalists like Luke not protected by these laws have much higher exposure — even when, like us, they did nothing wrong.
Reposted by Emma Arkell
Hi Bluesky 👋
Small life update: I’m at the centre of a multimillion dollar lawsuit in Alberta launched by a failed candidate for Jason Kenney’s UCP
It may be the longest and most expensive media trial in Canadian history
I’m ready to go public about it and I want to share more details with you 🧵
Small life update: I’m at the centre of a multimillion dollar lawsuit in Alberta launched by a failed candidate for Jason Kenney’s UCP
It may be the longest and most expensive media trial in Canadian history
I’m ready to go public about it and I want to share more details with you 🧵
November 7, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Hi Bluesky 👋
Small life update: I’m at the centre of a multimillion dollar lawsuit in Alberta launched by a failed candidate for Jason Kenney’s UCP
It may be the longest and most expensive media trial in Canadian history
I’m ready to go public about it and I want to share more details with you 🧵
Small life update: I’m at the centre of a multimillion dollar lawsuit in Alberta launched by a failed candidate for Jason Kenney’s UCP
It may be the longest and most expensive media trial in Canadian history
I’m ready to go public about it and I want to share more details with you 🧵
BREAKING: The BC Labour Relations Board has ruled that all research assistants at Simon Fraser University are workers and members of the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU).
TSSU successfully organized research assistants twice over the last six years.
www.tssu.ca/grad-student...
TSSU successfully organized research assistants twice over the last six years.
www.tssu.ca/grad-student...
GRAD STUDENT RAs ARE WORKERS AND TSSU MEMBERS! - TSSU
www.tssu.ca
November 6, 2025 at 11:47 PM
BREAKING: The BC Labour Relations Board has ruled that all research assistants at Simon Fraser University are workers and members of the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU).
TSSU successfully organized research assistants twice over the last six years.
www.tssu.ca/grad-student...
TSSU successfully organized research assistants twice over the last six years.
www.tssu.ca/grad-student...
Reposted by Emma Arkell
A List of Things Said to Have Been Ruined by Women
🧵
🧵
November 6, 2025 at 8:43 PM
A List of Things Said to Have Been Ruined by Women
🧵
🧵
Reposted by Emma Arkell
More important to me than my identity, I am also the Vice President of the NewsGuild of New York, and targeting me with a blatantly retaliatory termination like this feels like an egregious shot against our union and against media workers as a whole.
November 6, 2025 at 6:44 PM
More important to me than my identity, I am also the Vice President of the NewsGuild of New York, and targeting me with a blatantly retaliatory termination like this feels like an egregious shot against our union and against media workers as a whole.
Reposted by Emma Arkell
I'm one of the four fired employees. I was a writer & producer at Bon Appétit for nearly five years, during which I helped organize our union and sat on our bargaining committee.
I am, to my knowledge, the only trans woman in our union and the only trans woman on editorial who doesn't work at Them
I am, to my knowledge, the only trans woman in our union and the only trans woman on editorial who doesn't work at Them
New: Conde Nast fired four employees who were among a group that confronted the company's head of human resources on Wednesday over the decision to fold Teen Vogue into Vogue/recent cuts. Employees who were fired included journalists from the New Yorker, Wired, and Bon Appétit.
November 6, 2025 at 6:32 PM
I'm one of the four fired employees. I was a writer & producer at Bon Appétit for nearly five years, during which I helped organize our union and sat on our bargaining committee.
I am, to my knowledge, the only trans woman in our union and the only trans woman on editorial who doesn't work at Them
I am, to my knowledge, the only trans woman in our union and the only trans woman on editorial who doesn't work at Them
Reposted by Emma Arkell
It’s been a pleasure working with Lex and everyone in the politics vertical at Teen Vogue. I’m heartbroken that my column, Disability Visibility, is gone. Teen Vogue was one of the few places that published disabled journalists regularly. I just spent the last 2 months working on my next column
I was laid off from Teen Vogue today along with multiple other staffers, and today is my last day.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
November 6, 2025 at 5:28 AM
It’s been a pleasure working with Lex and everyone in the politics vertical at Teen Vogue. I’m heartbroken that my column, Disability Visibility, is gone. Teen Vogue was one of the few places that published disabled journalists regularly. I just spent the last 2 months working on my next column
Reposted by Emma Arkell
Princess White Deer (Esther Louise Georgette Deer (1891-1992) of Kahnawake, in Broadway Brevities, the 'notorious' gossip rag of the 1920s. As PWD, Esther Deer was a very successful vaudeville actor, performing across stages, from New York to Paris. Labeled as one of 'the most beautiful women in...
November 6, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Princess White Deer (Esther Louise Georgette Deer (1891-1992) of Kahnawake, in Broadway Brevities, the 'notorious' gossip rag of the 1920s. As PWD, Esther Deer was a very successful vaudeville actor, performing across stages, from New York to Paris. Labeled as one of 'the most beautiful women in...
Reposted by Emma Arkell
Friends— here it is. Updated & expanded thanks to the space afforded to me in the @therumpus.net & the guidance of the brilliant @roxanegay.bsky.social’s edits. The win centers Muslims humanity — but what does that mean in a country that rejects that?
therumpus.net/2025/11/05/z...
therumpus.net/2025/11/05/z...
November 5, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Friends— here it is. Updated & expanded thanks to the space afforded to me in the @therumpus.net & the guidance of the brilliant @roxanegay.bsky.social’s edits. The win centers Muslims humanity — but what does that mean in a country that rejects that?
therumpus.net/2025/11/05/z...
therumpus.net/2025/11/05/z...
@lukelebrun.ca and @dtcochrane.bsky.social break down what Mark Carney's austerity budget means for workers — both public and private sector — in the latest episode of Sources
🎧 PODCAST: Looking inside Mark Carney’s ‘extremely Orwellian’ austerity budget
From $60 billion in cuts to eliminating 40,000 jobs, Canadian Labour Congress Sr. Economist @dtcochrane.bsky.social shares his impressions of the Carney government's first budget live inside the media lock-up in Ottawa
From $60 billion in cuts to eliminating 40,000 jobs, Canadian Labour Congress Sr. Economist @dtcochrane.bsky.social shares his impressions of the Carney government's first budget live inside the media lock-up in Ottawa
Looking Inside Mark Carney’s ‘Extremely Orwellian’ Austerity Budget
Canadian Labour Congress DT Cochrane shares his first impressions of the Carney government's first budget live inside the media lock-up in Ottawa
pressprogress.ca
November 5, 2025 at 5:34 PM
@lukelebrun.ca and @dtcochrane.bsky.social break down what Mark Carney's austerity budget means for workers — both public and private sector — in the latest episode of Sources
Reposted by Emma Arkell
🎧 PODCAST: Looking inside Mark Carney’s ‘extremely Orwellian’ austerity budget
From $60 billion in cuts to eliminating 40,000 jobs, Canadian Labour Congress Sr. Economist @dtcochrane.bsky.social shares his impressions of the Carney government's first budget live inside the media lock-up in Ottawa
From $60 billion in cuts to eliminating 40,000 jobs, Canadian Labour Congress Sr. Economist @dtcochrane.bsky.social shares his impressions of the Carney government's first budget live inside the media lock-up in Ottawa
Looking Inside Mark Carney’s ‘Extremely Orwellian’ Austerity Budget
Canadian Labour Congress DT Cochrane shares his first impressions of the Carney government's first budget live inside the media lock-up in Ottawa
pressprogress.ca
November 5, 2025 at 2:09 PM
🎧 PODCAST: Looking inside Mark Carney’s ‘extremely Orwellian’ austerity budget
From $60 billion in cuts to eliminating 40,000 jobs, Canadian Labour Congress Sr. Economist @dtcochrane.bsky.social shares his impressions of the Carney government's first budget live inside the media lock-up in Ottawa
From $60 billion in cuts to eliminating 40,000 jobs, Canadian Labour Congress Sr. Economist @dtcochrane.bsky.social shares his impressions of the Carney government's first budget live inside the media lock-up in Ottawa
my colleague @stephenmag.bsky.social's reporting on the Alberta government sending teachers back to work, and the labour movement's response, en français pour @pivot.quebec
INFO | Le gouvernement albertain a utilisé la clause dérogatoire pour imposer une loi spéciale et forcer le retour au travail des enseignant·es. Le plus grand syndicat de la province entend répliquer fermement, sans toutefois en arriver déjà à la grève générale.
Alberta : le gouvernement bloque la grève des enseignant·es, les syndicats ripostent – Pivot
En réponse à l’attaque de la première ministre Danielle Smith contre les droits de négociation, un « Front commun » syndical brandit la menace de la grève générale.
pivot.quebec
November 5, 2025 at 4:13 PM
my colleague @stephenmag.bsky.social's reporting on the Alberta government sending teachers back to work, and the labour movement's response, en français pour @pivot.quebec
Reposted by Emma Arkell
My piece from last week got translated into French! Than you @pivot.quebec
INFO | Le gouvernement albertain a utilisé la clause dérogatoire pour imposer une loi spéciale et forcer le retour au travail des enseignant·es. Le plus grand syndicat de la province entend répliquer fermement, sans toutefois en arriver déjà à la grève générale.
Alberta : le gouvernement bloque la grève des enseignant·es, les syndicats ripostent – Pivot
En réponse à l’attaque de la première ministre Danielle Smith contre les droits de négociation, un « Front commun » syndical brandit la menace de la grève générale.
pivot.quebec
November 4, 2025 at 7:27 PM
My piece from last week got translated into French! Than you @pivot.quebec
Reposted by Emma Arkell
mamdani is human. he'll fuck up and fail, especially with a hostile press and the giant mess that is nyc's politics. but today is a great day for the brave women who told what cuomo did, and for those of us who care that it should matter. that power shouldn't go to those who hurt the poweless.
I'm happy that Mamdani won. But I won't let that get in the way of my celebrating Cuomo losing.
November 5, 2025 at 2:53 AM
mamdani is human. he'll fuck up and fail, especially with a hostile press and the giant mess that is nyc's politics. but today is a great day for the brave women who told what cuomo did, and for those of us who care that it should matter. that power shouldn't go to those who hurt the poweless.
Reposted by Emma Arkell
NBC, The New York Times, and most importantly @hellgatenyc.com call the NYC mayoral race for Zohran Mamdani.
November 5, 2025 at 2:38 AM
NBC, The New York Times, and most importantly @hellgatenyc.com call the NYC mayoral race for Zohran Mamdani.
Reposted by Emma Arkell
The stream has begun. Join us: www.youtube.com/live/fKA4Vpk...
November 5, 2025 at 1:04 AM
The stream has begun. Join us: www.youtube.com/live/fKA4Vpk...
Reposted by Emma Arkell
At the end of the day I'm not sure how much difference it makes. But it is striking to put out a budget that axes a luxury tax on yachts and adds a co-pay for refugee claimants accessing drugs and dental care.
November 4, 2025 at 10:57 PM
At the end of the day I'm not sure how much difference it makes. But it is striking to put out a budget that axes a luxury tax on yachts and adds a co-pay for refugee claimants accessing drugs and dental care.