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Thursday, July 26, 2018
Dear Premier McNeil:
I am writing with respect to protected leave for victims of domestic violence, now guaranteed in Nova Scotia as a result of your government’s legislation from this past spring.
First, Unifor would like to recognize and acknowledge this important new employment law and thank your government for taking action.
Unifor – Canada and Nova Scotia’s largest private sector union – made a submission with a number of recommendations to the committee of Law Amendments, studying Bill 107.
At that time, we also shared our submission with every member of the Nova Scotia Legislature.
Unifor has been on the forefront of this issue. We have negotiated protected and paid leave in many collective agreements and we have been one of the leading voices calling for legislated protected and paid leave for victims of domestic violence.
As you are aware, New Brunswick has just introduced, five paid days of leave a year for victims of domestic, intimate partner and sexual violence.
We were pleased to see Premier Gallant’s government make such a strong commitment to preventing violence against women. We know that financial worries are one of the main reasons women feel trapped in an abusive relationship. We need to do everything we can to ensure women and their children are supported and able to escape violence at home.
We respectfully request that your government move quickly to provide, at a minimum, victims of domestic and sexual violence five paid days of protected leave.
We understand that the four Atlantic premiers have developed a protocol in which they are attempting to harmonize where they can regulations. We respectfully submit this is one of those areas where harmonization is appropriate. We also know this will make a difference in the lives of women and children.
We look forward to your government taking this next step and to your response.
Sincerely
Lana Payne
Atlantic Regional Director Unifor
Cc NS Status of Women Minister
Unifor ARC Women’s Committee
