Action Call!
Replacement Workers Private Members Bill:
The Replacement Workers Private Members Bill (PMB) could be voted on before Christmas.
Another PMB (Bill C-386) that would restrict the use of replacement workers by federally-regulated employers could be voted upon (at Second Reading) and on its way to a committee review before the House of Commons breaks for Christmas on December 11.
Bill C-386’s sponsor is Bloc Quebecois MP Mario Laframboise (Argenteuil-Papineau-Mirabel) and it was seconded by New Democratic Party MP Don Davies (Vancouver-Kingsway).
If passed, the bill would prohibit employers subject to the Canada Labour Code from hiring replacement workers to perform the duties of employees during a labour disruption. Fines of $50,000 per day (for corporations) and $1,000 (for individuals) could apply to those who do hire replacement workers. While the bill places the obligation upon employers to continue to provide essential services, operate facilities and product goods “to the extent necessary to prevent an immediate and serious danger to the safety or health of the public”, there are many services essential to the wellbeing of Canadians and the functioning of our economy that fall outside of this narrow definition. These include telecommunications and financial services, as well as the transportation of manufactured goods and their components.
As you know, employers subject to the Canada Labour Code provide critical infrastructure to Canadian businesses and our citizens including telecommunications, financial services, airlines and airport services, trucking, railways and long shoring operations.
We urge you to contact your Member of Parliament, as soon as possible, to let him or her know that banning the use of replacement workers by critical infrastructure providers would be bad for all businesses and all Canadians.
In the event of a strike, it would not take long for the impact of these companies having to shut down to be felt by the thousands of businesses – and millions of Canadians – who depend upon them in every community across Canada.
This is not the time to inflict further harm on the businesses and consumers that depend upon these companies. A disruption of the services these companies provide would be devastating to our soft economic recovery.
(A template letter is available here which you may find helpful for use with your MP)
For more information, please contact Susanna Cluff-Clyburne at [email protected] or at (613) 238-4000, x225.
Policy Brief on Pension Savings Alternatives:
This document is prepared for your benefit; please share as you feel appropriate with your members. You can access it here.
Canadian Chamber Contact:
Stacey RoyManager, Chamber Development & Services | Directrice, Services aux chambres
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce | La Chambre de commerce du Canada
420 – 360 rue Albert Street | Ottawa, ON K1R 7X7
Tel.: 613.238.4000 (237)
Toll Free: | Sans Frais : 800.661.2930 (237)
Fax: 613.238.7643
Mobile: 613.291.8989
www.chamber.ca
