Faced with sweeping changes to a number of labour laws, including the Canada Labour Code and Public Service Labour Relations Act, unions are planning to be very vocal in defending their rights.
According to a report by CBC News, this week 100 representatives from unions across the country met with the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), which is an umbrella organization for dozens of affiliated Canadian and international unions, and represents some three million unionized workers.
“I think the government had declared war on us,” CLC secretary-treasurer Hassan Yussuff told CBC. “We didn’t start any of these measures — the government itself has done so. I think it’s fair for us to respond to their actions.”
The unions are concerned by a proposed new bill, C-4, that would change collective bargaining by allowing the government to determine which services are essential and make it illegal for those workers to strike. They’re also worried about other changes, such as health and safety regulations under the Canada Labour Code.
In a statement sent to CBC, Treasury Board president Tony Clement said the Public Service Labour Relations Act is being amended to ensure that the public service is modern and affordable. “The proposed amendments will bring savings, streamline practices and bring them in line with other jurisdictions. Our government will sit at a bargaining table on behalf of the taxpayer where the rules are fair and balanced.”
In a blog earlier this month, the president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, Robyn Benson described a meeting with Minister Clement: “He stated bluntly that he had no intention of consulting with us, and that he wanted all his changes in place for the next round of collective bargaining – in fact, by Christmas. In the face of that, I let the Minister know in very clear language indeed that we would be zealously representing our members in the workplace, we would protect their health and safety rights at all costs, and we would not accept concessions at the bargaining table.”
The Canadian Labour Congress has just wrapped up a series of television ads that promoted the idea that labour unions are not just about decent jobs, but a better life for everyone.
http://youtu.be/nhInxpMMqk0
More information:
CBC News – Unions plan public fight over federal labour reforms – here
Robyn Benson blog -Inclement weather – here
Canadian Labour Congress videos – here
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