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Changes to labour law announced

Minister Terry French announces changes to the Labour Relations legislation. –Photo by Keith Gosse/The Telegram

Minister Terry French announces changes to the Labour Relations legislation. –Photo by Keith Gosse/The Telegram

James McLeod
Published on June 19, 2012
Published on June 19, 2012
James McLeod  RSS Feed
Topics :
Labour Relations Agency

The government rolled out major changes to the province's labour laws today, placing an emphasis on creating a balance between employers and workers, and maintaining labour stability.

The legislative changes will overhaul the province's laws for Special Project Orders, which govern labour relations in mega projects.

The changes will also implement recommendations that came out of the Voisey's Bay Industrial Inquiry, which examined the longest strike in the province's history.

In his news conference, Minister Terry French, who is responsible for the Labour Relations Agency, said that these changes represent the most sweeping change to the government's labour law since the 1980s.  

 

 

Comments

  • Username
    Fred from Brigus
    - June 20, 2012 at 07:38:42

    This is not Rocket Science: Any changes will be anti-union. This trend is happening world wide and NL is no different. Take notice that in the USA contracts for bridge building are going to Chinese companies who bring in their own workers from China thus avoid hiring more costly American workers.

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  • Username
    ed
    - June 19, 2012 at 19:49:20

    I would be nice to see what was in the legislation. It seems that sensible reporting would include what was included in the legislation that was passed. With regard to Jim's comments about "anti scab" laws. I do not agree that it would balance the relationship. I do believe employees should have the right to withdraw their services but I also think the company should have the right to try to maintain their business. I also believe that in the case of an illegal or wildcat strike, the company should have a legal right to financial compensation for any losses incurred.

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  • Username
    Anon
    - June 19, 2012 at 18:21:30

    Temps still don't get the same rights as other workers, unionized folk get it better than the rest of us and what friggin' changes is the telegram talkin' about? I clicked this headline thinking y'all knew. I guess you didn't or are keeping it secret...

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  • Username
    TROUT BROOK
    - June 19, 2012 at 16:14:40

    The Adjacenty Clause HAs to be inforced on these speacial project orders the same as when voisey bay was construction.Its the only way u can reign in the unions from the INJUSTICE;AND DISCRIMATION ;;;that is happening in the CHAPEL ARM ;NORMANS COVE AREA 8 KM FROM THE VALE CONSTRCTION AT LONG HARBOUR'..The labourers union local 1208 and the local779 hotel resturnant union refuse to hire a local person ADJACENT to long harbour but can bring them in from all over canada if they like.pay them 65 bucks a day to move here and we ADJACENT to the project have to put up with the traffic ;price of food up; rent; up from 300 ;monthly to 2500 ;bucks a month.but i guess u have to be SPECIAL PEOPLE TO WORK AT A SPECIAL PROJECT

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  • Username
    medic
    - June 19, 2012 at 14:56:55

    This gov't has to have a good look at this whole province's workforce when it comes to labour laws. Example, Paramedics working in the private sector (outside the overpass) are working 24/7 schedules and getting paid for 40 hours. There is no labour law in this province against this. It's almost like slave labour, working 168 hours but only getting paid for 40. It's happening and been happening for years. Paramedics are left exhausted with no life and no decent income to show for it. I think this is where the gov't has to focus as well, focus on the people who you are going to call to respond to save your life. I can only hope that this review that's going to be carried out will focus on the life of the medic in Newfoundland and Labrador and will recommend changes. Labour laws need to be looked at as a bigger picture to see what's really going on in this province.

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  • Username
    Jim
    - June 19, 2012 at 14:07:27

    They can make all the changes they want but if they don't stop SCABS from crossing a picket line then the balance between the employers and employees will still favour the employers. The employees will forever have the "gun to there heads" without anti-scab laws.

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    • Username
      fog
      - June 19, 2012 at 19:13:44

      Labour unions are an antiquated idea that needs to go away. Labour unions forever have the "gun to the heads" of the employers. I've been around many unions, and all it does is make employees lazy because they know they can get away with just about anything, and their union will come to their rescue. So, if a union is pushing for more and more and more, then the "SCABS", as you call them, create a balance.

  • Username
    Stephen
    - June 19, 2012 at 13:03:04

    And what exactly will these changes do? If the government has not yet released details the article should mention that.

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