News

May Day
By Paul Jenkins/Michelle Whitelaw
Published: May 2, 2008

On Thursday May 1, 2008, otherwise known as May Day, Michelle Whitelaw and I attended Queens Park in support of Ontario NDP leader Howard Hampton’s second reading of Bill 65. This bill requests an amendment to the Labour Relations Act 1995, with respect to the certification of trade unions.

Mr. Hampton is requesting the amendment that a first card signing would be sufficient for a creation of a union within the specified workplace and that the second “secret ballot” only gives the employer the opportunity through intimidation and threats, to influence the outcome of the second “secret ballot”.

This would only be a return to how the act was previous to the amendments made in 1996. Mr. Hampton made numerous points to the benefits to a union including the protection of the most abused worker’s, women, the young and part time. The ability to fairly and collectively bargain for fair wages, benefits and a pension and as well to bring Ontario in line with our neighbouring provinces to the east and the west.

Mr. Hampton debated that the present process that a union must follow to become certified is virtually the same as having to follow democracy twice. He used the example that one must only sign a cheque once, sign their drivers license once but if one is interested in obtaining a union within their workplace they must first sign their card and then wait a week and sometimes longer for this “secret ballot” to be performed, why the double standard when a union is involved?

The opposition to this bill, the Liberals and the Conservatives debated that there has already been sufficient amendments to the act to bring a balance for both employer and employee. Some examples that they supported this with was the removal of the decertification poster and for the unions to publicly declare salaries over $100,000. The opposition to the bill also advised that they do not believe it is right to remove the workers option of a secret vote and that given today’s economic situation it would not be right to make major changes to the current act.

This was a lively debate where the NDP had numerous effective speakers on this matter where as the opposition had merely 1 or 2 speakers that were effective in presenting their side of the debate. In the end though, the bill was soundly defeated to the dismay of the numerous supporters within the legislative galleries.

Once leaving we were requested to stay and support a rally being conducted by the Ontario Nurses Union who were protesting change to the health and safety laws which do not permit nurses to refuse a unsafe workplace even though they have come across numerous occasions of clients physically attacking them.

The CEP supported this motion and made our presence known by raising the flags of the CEP. Once again, the NDP had members supporting the rights of workers by speaking in this rally promoting change so that nurses may as well be able to work in a safe environment.

I believe this was a productive day and the members from CEP were appreciated for showing their support for this bill.

In Solidarity,

Paul Jenkins/Michelle Whitelaw
Stewards, Local 975

Queen's Park Pictures

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