April 2000

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Anti-worker legislation prolonging suffering of Herald workers

Alberta's anti-worker labour laws are responsible for the continuing strike at the Calgary Herald and are causing a miserable Christmas for the striking workers.

"From day one, it's been the intention of Calgary Herald management to bust the union democratically elected by its employees and Alberta's labour laws are making it oh-so-easy," said New Democrat MLA Pam Barrett.

Barrett also said that Alberta's legislation is anti-worker in several aspects:

• Only Alberta, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick do not allow their Labour Relations Board to impose a first contract when one cannot be reached.
• Only Alberta, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick do not require employers to deduct union dues from paycheques.
• Alberta does not have anti-scab legislation.

"The excuse that our anti-worker labour laws are a competitive advantage is hogwash. Employers are not going to pick up and move to Nova Scotia if we allow the Labour Relations Board to impose a first contract," said Barrett. "What will happen is clear - the lives of working women and men will be improved."

In order to support the striking workers of the Calgary Herald, the New Democrat Opposition took several measures as soon as the strike began. The caucus cancelled its subscription to the Herald and both MLAs have attended the picket lines on numerous occasions.

In addition, the caucus wrote to all Calgary MLAs, the Office of the Official Opposition, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and all member of cabinet urging them to cancel all Herald subscriptions in the offices, departments and constituency offices for which they are responsible.

To date, no one has responded to the suggestion. "As in the past, only the New Democrats have taken clear and principled positions on the side of working women and men in Alberta," said New Democrat MLA Raj Pannu.