MONTRÉAL, Jjan 21, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ Recently, the Government of Quebec and the Union of Quebec Municipalities announced an agreement (the fiscal pact) in which municipalities were willing to receive less money in exchange for the power to decree now and for decades the working conditions of their municipal employees.
It is important to know that in Canada and Quebec, the right to freedom of association, including the right to negotiate, is elevated to the rank of constitutional law as well as freedom of religion and freedom of expression. Similarly, the Labour Code regulates labor relations in order to maintain industrial peace.
Therefore, if this bill is created and passed, it will inevitably be declared unconstitutional because we chose to live in a state of right. Furthermore, it will cost taxpayers millions of dollars in legal fees. Even worse, this project will create an incredible breach in our society, as if a ruling party could decide to violate fundamental rights so dearly acquired.
This is not just a battle that must be waged by the unionized workers of the municipal sector but by all workers in all sectors, as well as by society as a whole. The government is addressing this sector, but the impact will be disastrous for all.
Recently, the court declared unconstitutional a municipal rule of the City of Montreal prohibiting protest in the streets. How many other bills still have to be filed and how much money injected into frivolous lawsuit should one accept before mobilizing?
While our bills are increasing in all areas and our wages do not follow, the government invents useless battles in a free and democratic society like ours.
The executive of the Blue Collar Union of Montreal, SCFP, local 301
SOURCE SYNDICAT DES COLS BLEUS REGROUPES DE MONTREAL
André Lepage, (514) 384-7730
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