Tuesday, May 26, 2015
In every labour relationship, the balance of power is maintained by the ability of both sides to engage in collective bargaining free from external interference.
The rights of unionized workers include the provision of a fair bargaining process and, for most, the legal right to participate in collective action, such as: conducting a work to rule campaign, picketing, rolling strikes, or a full withdrawal of services.
Sadly, the Ontario Government has opted to intervene and override free collective bargaining between the province’s teachers and school boards by introducing Bill 103. This bill, introduced on Monday, May 25, seeks to legislate an end to legal job action that is underway by teachers in several communities around the province.
Free collective bargaining is a cornerstone of democratic freedoms in today’s workplace. As such, AMAPCEO strongly encourages the government to back away from this unnecessary action – and the profoundly negative message it sends loudly and clearly to all of Ontario’s unionized workers.
The parties involved are very capable of bargaining a collective agreement satisfactory to all. It’s in everyone’s best interests to afford them the legal right to do so.