For Immediate Release
November 20, 2024
NDP MHA Jordan Brown (Labrador West) is disappointed by this Liberal government’s refusal to reintroduce card check union certification.
Workers looking to unionize in this province face extraordinary delays by the Labour Relations Board in processing their union votes. Brown believes reintroducing card check would ensure workers’ right to unionize within the legislated time frame. Card check was introduced by the Conservatives in 2012, but they removed it again in 2014 after pressure from employers.
“The Labour Legislation clearly states a vote for unionizing should take no more than five business days. Right now, workers in this province are facing anywhere from three weeks to as long as six and a half weeks,” said Brown. “This is a huge issue. Not only because it breaks the law, but it gives employers ample time to pressure and even discipline workers for looking to form a union. The five day limit specified in legislation is extremely important to protect workers’ basic human right to unionize.”
Brown asked government about card check in the House of Assembly yesterday and was shocked by the lack of a response, and a seeming lack of understanding what card check is.
“I thought at first there was no minister going to rise to answer the question,” said Brown. “I can’t tell if government truly doesn’t understand what card check is, if they don’t get the importance, or if they just refuse to even entertain the idea. Government uses the word ‘balance’ when it comes to labour, but their definition of balance is keeping fingers on the scale in favour of business. Workers can see this and they know this government doesn’t care about their rights.”
Brown says the NDP has given government many suggestions of steps they could take to show their respect for workers. Implementing anti-scab legislation, reintroducing card check, and doing a review of the Labour Relations Board, are just a few.
“Government can continue to say they respect workers, but those words are empty without any meaningful action. It’s time for this government to stop favouring business and employers and start listening to and truly respecting workers.”
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For further information, contact Stephanie Curran, Media and Communications Officer, NDP Caucus at 330-0328 (o), or stephaniecurran@gov.nl.ca
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