Support Bill to Ban Use of Temporary Replacement Workers in Ontario

Ontario needs a law banning the use of temporary replacements workers during a strike or lock out. After a year-long strike at Vale Inco in Sudbury, Ontario where temporary replacement workers were used, Ontario is ready for such a law.

In our Province, 97% of collective agreements are negotiated without work disruptions; and with regard to the remaining 3%, very few strikes or lock-outs involved the use of temporary replacement workers. However, sociological research has shown us that when replacement workers are used in labour disputes, the impact in the short and long term on the people and on the communities in which they reside can be devastating. Laws banning the use of temporary replacement workers, also know as scabs, can also reduce the length and divisiveness of labour disputes.

A law banning the use of temporary replacement workers exists in Québec since 1978, and in British Columbia since 1993; successive governments in those two provinces have never repealed those laws. A similar law existed in Ontario from 1993 to 1996 and during that period of time, investments in Ontario increased.

NDP MPP France Gélinas, has a bill “banning temporary replacement workers” scheduled for a vote November 4th to pass legislation that would prevent employers from exploiting workers by using scabs during labour disputes.

To get involved with this campaign, contact Selina Clement Mikkola at selina@primus.ca

Download the letter from France Gélinas, MPP/Députée Nickel Belt here:
www.facebook.com/l/34ee7kX8NtwocOBFWL49SYsY2XQ;opseu.org/
politicalaction/pdf/France%

20Gelinas%20letter.pdf

Download the petition here:
www.facebook.com/l/34ee7S_LRAFnLtqRllA3N1ENPxA;opseu.org/
politicalaction/pdf/TRW%20Petition.pdf

Visit the OPSEU Political Action -> ban the use of temporary replacement workers page here:
www.facebook.com/l/34ee7S2f8AnrsBLN0hA0uP63PPw;opseu.org/
politicalaction/sept-30-2010-support-ban.htm