Alberta bill proposes major changes to union strike rules and funding

Jul 7, 2020 | 4:32 PM

EDMONTON – The Alberta government is proposing major changes to rules governing unions, including limits on where and how striking workers can picket.

Labour Minister Jason Copping says a bill now before the legislature is needed to restore the balance in a workplace that he says was tilted too far in favour of unions under the former NDP government.

“Our government was elected on the promise of supporting employee choice and to bring balance back to Alberta’s labour laws,” Copping said. “This bill will do just that and also help businesses save time and money, letting them focus on getting Albertans back to work while protecting workers.”

Copping’s bill would prohibit any picketing that interfered with anyone coming and going across picket lines.

Secondary pickets at locations other than at the direct employer involved would need the OK from Alberta’s Labour Relations Board.

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If the bill passes, union members would have the option of saying no to having any of their union dues directed to political parties.

Employers would also have more latitude to hire 13- and 14-year-olds to do certain jobs in the food service industry or in light janitorial work.

Unifor says in a statement that the bill attempts to undermine the voice of Alberta’s working people while ensuring corporations remain as powerful and unaccountable as ever.

“When unions use free speech rights to speak out against injustice, we’re standing up for all workers,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Combined with criminalizing protest under the new Critical Infrastructure Defence Act, Jason Kenney is using the power of big government to silence the voices of working people.”

(With file from The Canadian Press, Unifor)

by rdnewsNOW staff

Alberta bill proposes major changes to union strike rules and funding

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