Windsor West MPP presses Conservatives over anti-scab legislation
Anti-scab legislation was tabled Wednesday in Queen’s Park by Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky and other members of the NDP which would ban the use of replacement workers during a strike or lockout.
This is the 16th time since 1996 the NDP has put forth a bill like this and during Wednesday’s question period Gretzky pressed the Conservatives.
“No more rhetoric. Look right at those workers and tell them yes or no,” said Gretzky pointing to Ontario union workers out on strike, including some from Windsor Salt.
She wants the Doug Ford government to take a stand on legislation protecting workers from being replaced by temporary workers during labour disputes.
“You can't honestly say you're working for workers and vote against anti-scab legislation Mr. Speaker. It just doesn't jive,” said Gretzky.
Minister of Labour Monty McNaughton's response focused on Windsor Salt workers. He told the gallery the government has sent a clear message to the company they want a deal at the table.
“Mr. Speaker, 98 per cent of all deals in the province of Ontario are done at the table,” he said. “We want a good deal. A fair deal for those Windsor Salt workers and Mr. Speaker we know that they're at the table and we want them to get a deal as soon as possible.”
Gretzky was disappointed by what she calls a non-answer from McNaughton.
“I can just imagine how they feel knowing the minister just refused to say yes he would support the legislation.” Gretzky said.
Unifor Local 240 president Jodi Nesbitt was in attendance and felt let down because McNaughton couldn’t look the workers in the eyes during his response.
“It was very disappointing,” she said. “Very underwhelming to hear Monty not answer a question not once but he was asked that question two times.”
Bill Wark was not in Toronto, but the president of Unifor Local 1959 is happy to see the bill brought forward to help balance the employer and employee relationship.
“Legislation like this only serves to shorten labour disputes and brings together the parties in a more collaborative fashion,” he said.
Wark says the first round of negotiations produced baby steps. Both sides are set to resume four days of talks Monday with outsourcing and job security as major hurdles.
“To our knowledge they have not brought in any replacement workers yet but that's always a distinct possibility,” he said.
Gretzky says the government passed anti-worker legislation and feels the legislation to protect workers presented Wednesday could be pushed through in a 24-hours.
“The government could do it tomorrow if they wanted to,” she said.
In Tuesday's federal budget, the government promised to amend the Canadian labour code before the end of 2023 to prohibit the use of replacement workers during a strike or lockout.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
A fight to protect the dignity of Michelangelo's David raises questions about freedom of expression
Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished.
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.