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Loren Remillard’s ideological tirade against unions (June 20 “Secret ballots and democracy”) is both under-researched and misleading.
Remillard falsely asserts that workers in Manitoba cannot vote by secret ballot to join a union. In fact, it has been enshrined in Section 40(1)2. of the Labour Relations Act for decades.
If Remillard had done his homework, he would know that Bill 7 doesn’t restore “balance” to the already employer-friendly labour relations law, it robs workers of the right to join a union with a super-majority (65%) of signed union cards.
It is perfectly democratic for an overwhelming majority of workers at a job site to sign a union card and get the union they clearly desire.
The reason that Remillard and other bosses loathe card-based union certification is that it is the method most likely to escape detection by the employer. Employers prefer to know as soon as possible when a union drive is underway in order to launch their own campaign, which can easily cross the line into intimidation and subtle threats.
Sadly the Brian Pallister government, bolstered by anti-union cheerleaders at the Chamber of Commerce, is bucking a trend in Canada towards fair labour law. Prime Minister Trudeau has been very clear about his plans to reverse Harper-era laws. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley is also forging ahead with labour law that respects the role of unions in giving voice to vulnerable workers.
The Pallister government would be better served by getting to work on Manitobans’ priorities rather than cancelling rights for the province’s most vulnerable workers.
by: Ken Stuart
