Larry Hubich's Blog
Thursday 6 October 2016
Monday 29 February 2016
Friday 26 February 2016
The owner of Best Western 7 Oaks Hotel in Regina assaults peaceful picketers
Support workers at Best Western Seven Oaks
Tell the owner of Best Western Seven Oaks in Regina to stop bullying workers and get back to the bargaining table. Watch the video below and send a message now at www.ufcw.ca/bestwestern (UFCW Canada Local 1400)
Posted by UFCW Canada on Friday, February 26, 2016
Thursday 26 November 2015
For Profit Health Care and queue jumping for the wealthy
In 2009, Brad Wall said he would never allow someone “to use a bulging wallet to jump the queue.” Now his government is doing exactly that. - CUPE Health Care Council - Saskatchewan
Saturday 29 August 2015
Friday 31 July 2015
Wednesday 11 March 2015
Monday 9 March 2015
Right to Strike puts conservatives on notice
"Saskatchewan's Labour Movement: the folks who brought
you the constitutional right to strike!” said Saskatchewan Federation of Labour
(SFL) president, Larry Hubich, as the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) sided with
working families on January 30, 2015.
The SCC ruled, in no uncertain terms, that the SFL was right
– the Saskatchewan Party government’s Public Services Essential Services Act
(Bill 5) was heavy-handed, unworkable, and violated a Charter-protected right
to strike.
“The decision by the Supreme Court to grant every worker in
Canada a constitutional right to strike is a profound victory for our
movement,” said Hubich, “the Court also delivered a strong message to conservative
governments everywhere: your rigid ideology does not trump workers’ rights,” he
added.
The Public Services Essential Services Act (Bill 5) was
introduced by the newly-elected Saskatchewan Party government in 2007. As soon
as it was introduced, workers, their unions, lawyers, and academics all said
the Bill was overreaching, unnecessary, and probably illegal. The Saskatchewan
Party, though, continued to only listen to their corporate friends instead of
Saskatchewan families. As a result, a long Charter Challenge was launched by
the SFL and its affiliates against Bill 5 to protect working families.
Despite the long and expensive court process, workers and
their unions were gracious in their victory – extending an invitation to the
Saskatchewan Party government to work together.
“We know that a work stoppage is always the last resort, and
unions always prefer a negotiated agreement that is good for both sides,” said
Hubich, “our victory does not change any of that, and we want to work with the
provincial government to develop labour laws that are fair, balanced, and
respect the rights of workers,” he added.
However, just a few days after the SCC ruling, Brad Wall
floated the option of using the notwithstanding clause so that he and his
government could continue violating Charter rights.
“This is a time for reconciliation and leadership, not a
time for the premier to stomp his feet and threaten to deny Saskatchewan
families their Charter rights,” said Hubich, “workers and their unions continue
to offer our cooperation to create good public policy, and we hope the premier
will come to the table in good faith,” he added.
Tuesday 23 December 2014
Sunday 2 November 2014
Saturday 4 October 2014
Sunday 27 April 2014
Bill 5 & 6 Charter Challenge Heads to the Supreme Court of Canada
A panel of three Supreme Court Justices has decided that the Supreme Court of Canada will hear the SFL et al case against the Government of Saskatchewan’s Bills 5 and 6 – so-called “essential services” legislation and amendments to Saskatchewan’s Trade Union Act. On May 16th in Ottawa, the Federation, along with the plaintiff group and intervenors, will present the case for the highest court in the land.
Though no organization ever wants to be in the position of taking its own government to court, Bills 5 and 6 represent significant infringements upon the fundamental rights of Saskatchewan working people. On behalf of the people of the province, and on behalf of the generations of people that struggled for the rights we enjoy today, it is our responsibility to challenge laws that appear to be unconstitutional, particularly when they concern people’s basic rights at work.
In 2010, the United Nation’s International Labour Organization (ILO) found that Bills 5 and 6 violate Canada’s international law commitments.
In April 2013, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal released a much-anticipated decision recognizing that Canadian law has evolved to a point where a right to strike may be protected by the Constitution. At numerous points, the Court of Appeal notes that, though it could not overturn previous Supreme Court decisions respecting a right to strike, striking could very well be a fundamental right protected by the freedom of association.
Before the Supreme Court of Canada, the SFL et al will be making the case that Saskatchewan people, and all Canadians, enjoy a right to strike that is constitutionally protected. We are also asking for a declaration that the 2008 changes to the Saskatchewan Trade Union Act substantially interfere with workers’ right to form unions of their own choosing, for the purpose of bargaining collectively with their employers.
In only a matter of weeks, working people in the province and across the nation will finally have an answer to questions raised in the Fall of 2007.
Though no organization ever wants to be in the position of taking its own government to court, Bills 5 and 6 represent significant infringements upon the fundamental rights of Saskatchewan working people. On behalf of the people of the province, and on behalf of the generations of people that struggled for the rights we enjoy today, it is our responsibility to challenge laws that appear to be unconstitutional, particularly when they concern people’s basic rights at work.
In 2010, the United Nation’s International Labour Organization (ILO) found that Bills 5 and 6 violate Canada’s international law commitments.
In April 2013, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal released a much-anticipated decision recognizing that Canadian law has evolved to a point where a right to strike may be protected by the Constitution. At numerous points, the Court of Appeal notes that, though it could not overturn previous Supreme Court decisions respecting a right to strike, striking could very well be a fundamental right protected by the freedom of association.
Before the Supreme Court of Canada, the SFL et al will be making the case that Saskatchewan people, and all Canadians, enjoy a right to strike that is constitutionally protected. We are also asking for a declaration that the 2008 changes to the Saskatchewan Trade Union Act substantially interfere with workers’ right to form unions of their own choosing, for the purpose of bargaining collectively with their employers.
In only a matter of weeks, working people in the province and across the nation will finally have an answer to questions raised in the Fall of 2007.
Tuesday 22 April 2014
Monday 21 April 2014
Monday 9 December 2013
Tuesday 26 November 2013
Monday 21 October 2013
Thursday 17 October 2013
Supreme Court of Canada Agrees to Hear Charter Challenge of Bills 5 & 6
A panel of three Supreme Court Justices has decided that the Supreme Court of Canada will, in fact, hear the case of the SFL et al, in the matter of the constitutionality of the Government of Saskatchewan’s Bills 5 and 6 – so-called "essential services" legislation and amendments to Saskatchewan’s Trade Union Act.
"It is extremely unfortunate that we find ourselves in this position," said Saskatchewan Federation of Labour President, Larry Hubich. "Obviously, we would rather not be forced into taking our government to court. Unfortunately, however, Bills 5 and 6 represent significant infringements upon the fundamental rights of Saskatchewan working people. On behalf of the people of the province, and on behalf of the generations of people that struggled for the rights we enjoy today, we believe it is our responsibility to challenge laws that appear to be unconstitutional, particularly when they concern people’s basic rights at work."
In 2010, the United Nation’s International Labour Organization (ILO) found that Bills 5 and 6 violate Canada’s international law commitments, as well as working people’s rights. In April of this year, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal released a much-anticipated decision recognizing that Canadian law has evolved to a point where a right to strike may be protected by the Constitution. At numerous points, the Court of Appeal notes that, though it could not overturn previous Supreme Court decisions respecting a right to strike, striking could very well be a fundamental right protected by the freedom of association.
"We believe it is time for the Supreme Court of Canada to recognize that Saskatchewan people, and all Canadians, enjoy a right to strike that is constitutionally protected. We are also asking for a declaration that the 2008 changes to the Saskatchewan Trade Union Act substantially interfere with workers’ right to form unions of their own choosing, for the purpose of bargaining collectively with their employers."
PDF available here
Friday 11 October 2013
Monday 22 July 2013
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)