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NDP Leader Jack Layton signs The Workers' Bill of Rights
Pledges to work to
ensure that Canada
lives up to United Nations declarations
it has signed but has failed to honour
Ottawa (11 Dec. 05) - New Democratic Party Leader Jack Layton
has become the first Canadian political leader to sign The
Workers' Bill of Rights, pledging support for the freedom of
workers to form unions and to determine wages and working
conditions through collective bargaining without interference by
government.
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James Clancy and
Jack Layton |
The signing took place at an event organized Sunday in Ottawa by the
National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) and the
United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW Canada) to celebrate
the United Nations' International Human Rights Day.
NDP candidates running in Ottawa area constituencies for the Jan. 23
federal election also attended the event and joined Layton in
signing the declaration. The group included Paul Dewar, son of
former NDP MP Marion Dewar, who is running in Ottawa Centre to
replace former NDP leader Ed Broadbent.
James Clancy, president of the National Union of Public and General
Employees (NUPGE), and Michael Fraser, national director of the
United Food and Commercial Workers Canada (UFCW Canada), praised
Layton for his pledge of support.
Taking the lead
The bill of rights was prepared by the two unions, which jointly
represent more than half a million union members in all parts of
Canada. NUPGE has 340,000 members and the UFCW Canada approximately
230,000 members.
One of the main purposes of the document is to focus attention on
United Nations declarations affirming human and labour rights.
Canadian governments have failed repeatedly over the years to honour
the signed commitments they have made to the UN and the
International Labour Organization (ILO), a UN agency. (See links
below)
The two unions have taken the lead in a campaign to convince
federal, provincial and territorial governments to begin living up
to their international obligations dealing with human and labour
rights.
"NUPGE and the UFCW, and the Canadian labour movement, call on every
province and territory, and on the federal government, as we
celebrate International Human Rights Day, to abide by the UN's
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and, at long last, truly
protect and defend workers' rights, including the right to form
unions and bargain collectively," Clancy said.
The key section in The Workers' Bill or Rights reads as follows:
"All workers have the right to form unions for the promotion and
defence of their interests without interference by employer or
government. This basic human right goes together with freedom of
association and freedom of expression. It is the basis of democratic
representation and governance.
"All workers have the right to a legal framework that recognizes
collective bargaining as the means of determining their wages,
working conditions and terms of employment."
On Dec. 8, Clancy challenged all of Canada's national political
leaders to pledge their support for the declaration during the
current election campaign.
Clancy and Fraser said they plan to put lobby all other leaders to
follow Layton's example and add their names before Jan. 23.
Layton was not only the first leader to accept the challenge issued
by the two unions, he also put on a NUPGE union jacket presented to
him by Clancy in the spirit of solidarity with workers across the
country.
"A worker's right to join a union and bargain collectively is an
important human right," Layton said. "I'm proud to show my support
for these principles." NUPGE
More information:
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Sign The Workers' Bill or Rights
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Complete Text - The Workers' Bill of Rights - download
pdf
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NUPGE asks political leaders to sign pledge respecting workers'
rights
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Canada's Human Rights deficit - freedom of association
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NUPGE Labour Rights Page
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Labour
Rights.ca - collective bargaining is under attack
Background information on
ILO and UN violations by Canadian governments:
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Supreme Court will hear B.C. contract case in early 2006
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UN agency condemns violations by British Columbia
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NUPGE files more complaints against B.C. Liberals
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B.C. Liberals ordering health care unions back to work
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NUPGE seeks ILO investigation of Ontario and B.C.
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NUPGE urges ILO to send special mission to B.C.
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Sweeping ILO ruling slams actions of B.C. Liberals
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NUPGE seeks special investigation of B.C. Liberals
•
Unions challenge Bill 29, B.C.'s contract-busting law
•
UN body slams Newfoundland and Labrador government
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Report of the ILO Governing Body 293rd Session
(Paragraphs 399 to 407) pdf file
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ILO Backgrounder - NUPGE pdf file
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Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams must act on ILO ruling
Web posted by NUPGE:
11 December 2005
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