Supreme Court Of Canada Will Hear Sask Federation Of Labour Challenge Of Brad Wall's Right Wing Anti-Labour Legislation
Saskatoon
– The Supreme Court of Canada released their decision today that they
would hear the case of the SFL and the Charter challenge as against the
Provincial Government and other public
employers including Regional Health Authorities. SEIU-West members and
leaders were watching with great interest. “We
are pleased that the Supreme Court of Canada has granted leave to
appeal to the SFL and others.
While SEIU-West was not granted full party
intervenor status today, we will apply to be
an intervenor and contribute in a positive way to the ultimate decision
from the Supreme Court. Any government needs to be challenged when they
pass such laws that have a negative, lasting effect upon all working
people in Saskatchewan and beyond our borders,”
said Barbara Cape, President of SEIU-West.
“What
do we have to offer? Our opinion and our experience is that The Public
Service Essential Services Act is a huge obstacle in achieving fair and
reasonable collective agreements for our
members employed in the public sector. We want to expose the hardships
faced by public sector workers who are just trying to get a fair deal in
a timely manner,” continued Cape.
As
stated on numerous occasions, members of SEIU-West are not opposed to
the provision of essential services. The issue is that this essential
services law is so flawed that it deletes good
faith bargaining altogether.
The
Court of Appeal decision on April 26, 2013, determined that The Public
Service Essential Services Act was constitutionally valid. This decision
followed the earlier determination of Justice
Ball, at the Court of Queen’s Bench, which was delivered on February 6,
2012, and found The Public Service Essential Services Act to be
unconstitutional because it infringed upon Charter rights and freedoms.
“The
only way to restore good faith collective bargaining in this province
is to repair the essential services law so that it strikes a fair
balance between public good and workers’ rights,”
added Cape. “Quite recently, the public learned about the critical need
for safe staffing levels in Saskatchewan long term care facilities; why
is it that adequate staffing levels can be secured during a job action –
but not on a day-to-day basis? We want
a decision from the Supreme Court that requires the provincial
government to fix this law so it works for everyone, not just the
employer.”
