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Here are answers to frequently asked questions about Bill 6 - Enhanced Protection of Farm and Ranch Workers Act

 More than 50,000 Albertans work in the agricultural sector. They account for 2.6 per cent of our workforce — and until this legislation was introduced, they had few legal protections in their workplace. One in five agricultural workers in Alberta work at worksites with more than 20 employees.

Deal bad for Canadian workers, great for foreign corporate giants

Government given one year to fix labour legislation that violates constitution

Edmonton –Alberta laws that interfere with the right of public-sector workers to go on strike violate the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Court of Queen’s Bench has ruled.

In a sweeping judgment handed down on Tuesday, and accepted by the Government of Alberta today, Justice Dennis Thomas ruled the blanket prohibitions against strikes and lockouts in Section 96(1)(b) and 96(1)(c) of the Labour Relations Code, and sections of the Public Service Employees Relations Act (PSERA) violate the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and are not saved by the Charter’s provision allowing reasonable limits as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.

“Albertans have a right to work together, to look after each other and to stand up for themselves when needed,” Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan said. “Attacking those rights doesn’t lead to labour peace – it leads to long-term problems. I am very pleased that Justice Thomas in his wisdom has reaffirmed those rights.”

This is the latest in a series of court decisions in Canada that have reaffirmed the fact that the right to free association includes the right to bargain collectively, and to engage in collective work action. In his decision, Justice Thomas cited the Supreme Court of Canada’s Jan. 30 decision in Saskatchewan Federation of Labour v. Saskatchewan, which saw the country’s top court strike down a Saskatchewan law that prevented public-sector employees from striking.”

MEDIA CONTACT:

Olav Rokne, Communications Director, Alberta Federation of Labour at 780.218.4351 (cell)
or via e-mail [email protected]

Alberta remains one of the most dangerous places in Canada to work, especially for young workers: AFL

 Edmonton – The Alberta Federation of Labour is responding to Saturday’s death of a 15-year-old worker.

Alberta’s child, youth, and adolescent labour laws are among the worst in Canada, says the AFL. The province had a chance to toughen up those standards in a recent Employment Standards review, but nothing came of it.

“Alberta’s child labour laws are among the most lax in Canada,” says Siobhan Vipond, AFL Secretary Treasurer. “The AFL has repeatedly made recommendations to improve working conditions and safety standards, specifically for young workers. This weekend’s tragic news is yet another reminder that much more needs to be done to keep Albertans safe at work.”

“Just a few months ago, Employment Minister Thomas Lukaszuk launched a review of Alberta’s workplace laws. But the first item up for review was a question about expanding child labour,” says Vipond. “Instead of rushing more young workers onto potentially unsafe work sites, we need to keep young workers safe. Today, Alberta is one of the most unsafe places for young people to work.”

The AFL’s submission on April 11, 2014 to the Employment Standards contained several pages of recommendations on young workers.

 "Alberta needs targeted inspections of workplaces that employ 15-17 year olds, especially in construction and other comparatively dangerous occupations,” says Vipond. “The AFL made urgent recommendations earlier this year, and this past weekend we are sadly reminded why these changes are so desperately needed in Alberta.”

 A recent survey showed 49.7% of 797 adolescents surveyed had experienced at least one workplace injury in the previous year.

For 15-17 year olds, the research has shown young, minor workers are particularly vulnerable to abuses in the workplace, such as illegal deductions, unsafe work, handling of hazardous materials, and sexual harassment.

For that reason, the AFL recommended a program of targeted inspections and a special, mandated health and safety training programme for employers who hire 15-17 year old Albertans. Alberta must also review whether some industrial activities or occupations are prohibited for adolescents, particularly in forklift operations and construction work.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Brad Lafortune, Alberta Federation of Labour at 780.901.1177 (cell)
or via e-mail [email protected]

“Smoke and mirrors” cleanup of the TFW program allowing good jobs to disappear like magic

Edmonton – Good Canadian jobs continue to vanish into thin air as if by magic due to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Alberta’s largest labour organization released evidence today showing TFW welders can be paid less than half the going rate. This is a clear example of employers abusing the system, despite the Harper government’s claims of cracking down on the TFW program.

A Kijiji ad, posted by a recruiter on June 27, 2014, suggests approvals were granted to employers to fill jobs as Welders and Related Machine Operators (NOC 7265) in Alberta and Saskatchewan at wages of $13 to $20 per hour. At the low end, this is less than half the going rate for Canadian welders.

The average starting wage for a welder in Alberta is $28.49; the average overall wage is $33.79.

“It’s starting to look like Jason Kenney’s cleanup of the TFW program was smoke and mirrors,” Alberta Federation of Labour President Gil McGowan said. “While he was promising a crackdown, his department issued Labour Market Opinions for TFWs to work as welders and be paid less than half the wage being paid to Canadians.”

The Kijiji posting invites applicants to submit resumes and Skype IDs to Miles Andry of Canadian Shield Immigration. Mr. Andry does not appear to have any construction-related Human Resources experience. His LinkedIn profile lists him as a Canadian Shield recruitment specialist for the past two years and a professional magician for the past 12 years.

“These are some of the best jobs in the Alberta economy, and the Harper government has literally handed them over to a magician to make good wages disappear,” McGowan said. “All of this talk of cleaning up the program, cracking down on abuses, and making sure Canadians get first crack at jobs appears to be nothing more than sleight of hand.”

“Instead of a circus sideshow designed to trick the public, Mr. Kenney needs to get serious about cleaning up the mess he made,” McGowan said. “Mr. Kenney should wave his magic wand and cancel every LMO his department issued unlawfully, below the wages paid to Canadians for the same job”

MEDIA CONTACT:

Olav Rokne, Communications Director, Alberta Federation of Labour at 780.218.4351 (cell)
or via e-mail [email protected]

Screenshots  at July 2, 2014

Kijiji ad for Welders, where an LMO is available for between $13.00/hour and $20.00/hour

Ad is posted at: http://www.kijiji.ca/v-construction-trades-jobs/calgary/welders-needed-lmo-available/1000543369?siteLocale=en_CA

LinkedIn Profile for Miles Andry, Canadian Shield LMO Recruitment Specialist: http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/miles-andrey/86/97b/937

Wage Profile from Government of Alberta WageInfo, for Welders and Related Machine Operators

http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/LMI_report_bynoc.do?&noc=7265&reportOption=wage

AFL reveals hundreds of unlawful TFW permits issued by Minister Kenney

EDMONTON – Problems with the Temporary Foreign Worker program are not limited to the food service industry.

At a press conference at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 25, the Alberta Federation of Labour will unveil research showing that hundreds of Labour Market Opinions – which are required for employers to bring in Temporary Foreign Workers – have been issued in direct contravention of the rules of the program.

"There is a clear pattern to this government's handling of the Temporary Foreign Worker program," Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan said. "They're bending, breaking, circumventing and ignoring the rules they set up to prevent abuse. And because of that, employers in all kinds of sectors are using the program to drive down wages across the country and throughout the economy."

What:  New research shows problems with TFW program pervasive across many sectors of the economy

When:  11:00 a.m., Friday, April 25, 2014

Where: Alberta Federation of Labour offices, #300, 10408-124 Street

Who:    Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) President Gil McGowan

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Olav Rokne, Communications Director, Alberta Federation of Labour at 780.289.6528 (cell)
or via e-mail [email protected]