McGuinty disrespects collective bargaining

NDP is the lone party to defend the collective bargaining process.

Ottawa (27 Jan. 2009) - Legislating an end to the strike at York University "shows a lack of respect for the collective bargaining process" by the McGuinty government in Toronto, says James Clancy, president of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE).

"When it comes to labour rights, the McGuinty government is not starting 2009 on a positive note," says Clancy.

"Only two weeks ago, the government announced it will appeal a landmark decision granting collective bargaining rights for farm workers in the province.  Now they have introduced back-to-work legislation at York," he notes.

"The government's actions are looking more and more like the anti-labour policies of former Tory Premier Mike Harris.  What Ontario needs is progressive labour law reform, not regressive measures that strip away the rights of workers." 

The government recalled the legislature Sunday to impose a settlement at York University, where teaching assistants and contract faculty members have been on strike for 11 weeks.

The New Democratic Party is the only party opposing the bill. New Democrats refused to give unanimous consent for quick passage of the legislation on grounds that the university has deliberately dragged out the dispute by refusing to negotiate with the union — CUPE Local 3903. The traditionally anti-labour Conservative party is backing the province's decision to intervene.

The legislation is expected to pass later this week with all classes resuming by next week.

About 3,300 contract faculty and other staff at York have been off the job since Nov. 6., cancelling classes for some 50,000 students. York is Canada's third-largest university.

The four major issues are job security, funding levels for graduate students, indexing of benefits and the length of the contract.

The university has decided not to give students tuition refunds for missed time. Instead, it says it will fit in a complete academic term by cancelling reading week, condensing exam time and extending the winter term to June 2.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE