SFL awaits Court decision in Charter Challenge case against Bills 5 & 6

During November of 2011 the SFL et al, along with 3 intervenor unions were in court to argue that the Saskatchewan provincial government’s (2007 - 2008) labour legislation (Bills 5 & 6) violates the Charter rights of working people.

The SFL team argued 3 main points:

1. People have the right to form unions of their own choosing for the purpose of bargaining collectively with their employers:

• Free from employer and government interference;
• Consistent with international human rights as defined by the United Nations;
• Consistent with the freedom of association provisions of the Charter; and
• Consistent with the freedom of expression provisions of the Charter.

2. The provincial government should ensure a level playing field for working people with major corporations by defending working people’s ability to have a voice in the workplace.

3. The government should re-balance its legislation and enable unions to defend the rights of working people from attacks that have tipped the scales in favour of rich corporations and CEOs.

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees freedom of conscience and religion; freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication; freedom of peaceful assembly; and freedom of association.

It is extremely important that we continue to take our case against the provincial government forward and to defend the charter rights of working people in our province.