Director Bruce McDonald challenges Hudak over dues evasion plans

TORONTO, March 20, 2013 /CNW/ - Award-winning Canadian film and television director Bruce McDonald is sending a message to Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak about that party's plans for the province's unions.

McDonald's latest short film, a comedy called No Free Ride, takes issue with a PC proposal to allow workers in union shops to receive the benefits of collective bargaining without paying dues.

"Maybe younger people coming up don't understand the history of how things got to be so good here in Ontario," said McDonald. "If it's going to continue to be good, I think there's still a fight to be had."

The film was developed and funded by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union as a way to educate union members about Hudak's proposal, said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

"Most Ontarians reject the kind of extremism we're seeing with Hudak as Tory leader, but my great concern is that voters may not be fully aware of the policies he has been proposing," said Thomas. "No Free Ride is meant to inform union members about a matter that directly affects them and their families."

The message of No Free Ride is a moral one, Thomas said.

"For the life of me I can't figure out why a guy like Tim Hudak, who calls himself a conservative, would propose a law that allows anyone to get something for nothing," he said. "It just shows you how far the PCs have strayed from their real roots."

No Free Ride features performances from ACTRA members Sean Baek, Aaron Abrams, and Hannah Cheesman. It is available online at www.nofreeride.ca.

SOURCE: OPSEU

Warren (Smokey) Thomas [phone]