#bill c-89

[haidicphoto]

'A Lot Of Baloney' In Singh's Remarks On Back-to-Work Legislation

One expert says he might have exaggerated for "dramatic" effect.

This is an updated article addresses NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh’s commentary on Bill C-89, calling it a load of ‘baloney’. He is insinuating the rights of the working people are being disregarded as the prime minister creates more legislation. Singh is most likely comparing this bill to Harper’s government bill C-6, which was considered to be a violation of labor rights in Canada. In 2016 it was ruled an unlawful violation of postal workers’ charter guarantee of freedom of expression and association.

 Bill C-6 had taken away workers right to strike, which also violated their rights to freedom of assembly and freedom. Also, it imposed a wage increase for postal workers, but was still below what Canada Post had already offered. It provided for an arbitrator to settle issues, but was refused twice. When creating bill C-89, the Trudeau government tried to avoid making any of the same errors that Harper’s government made when creating bill C-6. It has a balanced approach in addressing concerns about health and safety, pay equity and fair treatment of part-time employees, as well as Canada Post’s concerns about things like financial sustainability. Although, labor law experts still have yet to find any mistakes.

[jpdesautels-blog]

Senate passes back-to-work legislation for Canada Post workers

Mail service will resume all across the country at noon Tuesday after the Senate passed legislation ordering an end to five weeks of rotating strikes by postal workers.

Bill C-89 was accepted by the senate on Monday November 26th 2018 with a vote of 53 ayes, 25 nays and 4 abstentions. It was then given royal assent by Canada’s governor general. The final vote had been delayed due to the senators wanting to discuss the constitutionality of forcing postal workers to return to work. 

The president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers called the law a violation of “free collective bargaining under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.” Taking this into account, Senator Murray Sinclair recommended a seven day delay on the order following the royal assent to allow for some further negotiation between the union and management. Senator Peter Harder countered by mentioning that delaying things any further would cause problems for the elderly, remotely located residents and retailers.

In the end, the Liberal party argued that unlike the bill imposed by the Conservative government in 2011, this one isn’t unconstitutional as it does not impose an immediate resolution to the conflict opposing the postal workers and their management.