NDP: It’s time to pass anti-scab legislation in Ontario

QUEEN’S PARK — As federal anti-scab legislation comes into force, Ontario NDP Shadow Minister for Labour, Jamie West (Sudbury) is renewing the Official Opposition’s calls for anti-scab legislation in Ontario to protect workers:

“This is an important step in our collective efforts to strengthen workers’ rights and to have fairness in the collective bargaining process,” said West. “However, this government has failed to protect workers and ban the use of scab labour in Ontario, despite having over a dozen opportunities to vote in favour of it.”

The Ontario NDP has tabled legislation to ban the use of scab-labour over a dozen times, only to have the proposal be voted down by the Conservative government.

At three supportive housing apartments in Toronto, personal care workers are currently on strike, while the employer continues to use scab workers from agencies including Bayshore and Florence. NDP Shadow Minister for Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity Alexa Gilmour (Parkdale—High Park) joined these workers on the picket line.

“Respecting these workers is how we make sure our parents and grandparents get the best possible care,” Gilmour said. “Seniors are the ones paying the price as they receive low quality care from replacement workers who lack training and relationships with residents. Our seniors deserve to age with dignity; under the care of people, they trust and have connections with. This is exactly why we need anti-scab legislation in Ontario – to protect workers and to protect Ontarians.”

“Bringing in scabs prolongs strikes, and it hurts workers and communities”, said West. “It is long overdue for the Conservative Government to support anti-scab legislation. The Government must put workers first for once and ban scab labour.”