SFL takes next step against Bills 5 and 6 at ILO

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour has taken another step in defense of the rights of workers in the province.

The SFL has delivered its arguments against the Sask. Party government's assault on worker and human rights to the International Trade Union Confederation. The ITUC will then deliver a report on behalf of Canada, containing the SFL’s arguments, to the International Labour Organization (ILO) Committee of Experts.

This action by the SFL will put the case against the behaviour of the Sask. Party Government in front of an additional committee of the ILO - the Committee of Experts. There is already a complaint against the Sask. Party Government filed with the ILO Committe on Freedom of Association. That first complaint has also been supported by the SFL - see here.

The SFL news release about the most recent action is reproduced below and can be downloaded in PDF format by clicking here....

SFL takes next step against Bills 5 and 6 at ILO

For immediate release September 25, 2008

In an additional step in the defense of workers’ human rights, the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) has now delivered its arguments against Bills 5 and 6 to the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). The ITUC, the world’s largest trade union federation, represents 166 million workers through its 309 affiliated organizations within 156 countries and territories.

The General Secretary of the ITUC will deliver a report on behalf of Canada, containing the SFL’s arguments, to the International Labour Organization (ILO) Committee of Experts shortly.

“The SFL is pleased that the ITUC is bringing forward our concerns to the Committee of Experts. We expect that the Committee will agree that Canada is not complying with its international obligations as a result of the Saskatchewan Party government’s attacks on workers’ rights,” says Larry Hubich, President of the SFL.
The ILO Committee of Experts oversees countries’ general levels of compliance with international obligations. They then present their findings to an international convention of leaders and experts.

The ITUC’s report will argue that in passing Bill 5, the Wall government “makes freedom of association a right solely to be given and taken away at the whim of employers, including the largest employer in Saskatchewan, the government.”

The ITUC will also submit that the amendments to the Trade Union Act (Bill 6) weaken the rights of workers and unions to organize into associations, and that it potentially permits employers to use coercive means to stop the formation of union associations, and to potentially punish workers for engaging in union associational activities.

“The Committee of Experts is another way for us to hold the Wall government accountable for its failure to consult with labour organizations before ramming through these union-busting laws. We are very interested in hearing how this government’s actions hold up to international scrutiny,” adds Hubich.

The SFL represents nearly 95,000 unionized workers from 37 affiliated unions in Saskatchewan.