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November 2, 2017 TORONTO – Unifor repeated the call today for multiple amendments to Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, at the final public hearing on the proposed legislation. “There are still holes in Bill 148 that leave workers vulnerable to abuse by employers that must be addressed before it becomes law,” said Unifor’s Ontario Regional Director Naureen Rizvi. “A generation of worker’s will have to live with the conditions set in this legislation so the government has to get it right.” Rizvi presented one of the final testimonies heard by the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs as it wrapped up public hearings on Bill 148 today at Queen’s Park. Unifor reiterated its submission for amendments to the Bill to remove barriers for workers to unionize, extend consolidated bargaining rights to workers at franchise operations, protect those employed by sub-contractors when contracts are flipped, improve provisions on the right to refuse work and to receive on-call pay or shift cancellation pay, and strengthen language on equal pay for equal work. The union also called for the inclusion of paid leave for survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence in the legislation. “Bill 148 presently designates domestic violence leave as unpaid leave and this would financially penalize women and their children at a time when every available support is needed,” said Rizvi. Unifor’s full submission to the Standing Committee of Finance and Economic Affairs is available at unifor.org/bill148. Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future. For more information, please contact Unifor Communications Representative Kathleen O’Keefe at @email or 416-896-3303 (cell).
