Time to strengthen rights for workers, says Ed Broadbent

No one should fear the right to strike - 'it's not often used.'

Ottawa (27 Nov. 2008) - Ed Broadbent says it's time for governments at all levels in Canada to strengthen the rights of labour, including the right to strike for all workers.

"Only when all workers have the right to strike will freedom be complete in Canada," the former federal New Democratic Party leader said when he spoke at the Labour Rights are Human Rights International Symposium in Ottawa.

Ed Broadbent, former New Democratic Party Leader

Broadbent told delegates that workplace rights become "a sham" even where unions exist if workers are denied the only "real right" that matters, the right to strike.

He praised a recent decision in Ontario to extend collective bargaining rights to agricultural workers and said it is long overdue that federal and provincial governments wipe away barriers still standing in the way of workers in Canada, including the right to organize and withdraw services.

No one should be afraid of the right to strike, Broadbent argued. "It's not often used," he added, noting that the overwhelming majority of all labour disputes are settled without disruption in Canada.

Broadbent criticized successive governments for doing "nothing" in more than 30 years to advance workers' rights. It's now time to act, including action against companies that specialize in union-busting, he said. "It's long overdue to look at laws to punish people by law who try to stop people from having unions."

He also called on the Harper government to live up to the international obligations Canada has accepted over the years at the level of the United Nations (UN) and the International Labour Organization (ILO). Ottawa should also reopen international trade treaties and negotiate rights for workers, he added.

Broadbent was presented − at the conclusion of his remarks − with the Solidarity Award from the National Union of Public and General Employees by NUPGE president James Clancy. NUPGE