Most people have the day off work today thanks to the statutory holiday, Labour Day. Many Canadians will not give a thought to the union movement but the prime minister issued a statement reminding them that “For more than a century, Canadians have come together to fight for a safer, more equitable, and just workplace. Their hard-won victories brought about fair wages, weekends, and paid sick days, among many other benefits and protections we take for granted today.”
Lax labour laws elsewhere make it hard for Canadian companies to compete
At the same time, the Globe and Mail newspaper reports that Canadian officials renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement with the United States and Mexico are pressing for improved labour standards. One source told the Globe that Canada wants the U.S. to put a stop to so-called right to work laws passed by some states that allow workers to opt out of paying union dues thereby weakening the unions considerably.
They would also like Mexico and the U.S. to offer one year of paid family leave as Canada does. Union leader Jerry Dias told the newspaper that weaker labour standards in the other two countries leads to companies to relocate there to reduce their labour costs and Canadian jobs are lost.
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.