AFL Sounds Alarm on Expansion of Child Labour
Jobs Minister floats suggestion to increase scope of jobs that 12-year-olds can be hired into
Edmonton – Alberta's largest worker organization is asking the province to take the expansion of child labour off the table.
Today is the deadline for submissions to the review of the Employment Standards Code launched in March by Jobs Minister Thomas Lukaszuk. The first question that the government asks in its discussion guide for the review has to do with expanding the variety of jobs that 12-14 year olds are permitted to do.
In their written submission to the review, the Alberta Federation of Labour expressed strong opposition to any such expansion.
"Albertans don't want 12-year-olds working in restaurant kitchens. They don't want 13-year-olds working as janitors and handling hazardous cleaning materials," Alberta Federation of Labour president McGowan said. "The fact that this is the first item on Mr. Lukaszuk's Employment Standards agenda shows that he did not hear Albertans the last time his PC government expanded child labour. Albertans rejected it then, and they reject it now."
McGowan added that this "is a very odd way for Lukaszuk to launch a bid for the PC leadership."
"Instead of distancing himself from the bad policy that has characterized the government over the past few years, the Minister seems to be determined to make even more bad policy before he resigns to pursue his leadership aspirations. I guess we'll have to start referring to him as the 'child labour' candidate."
The AFL recommendations on Employment Standards are contained in a detailed analysis of provincial work standards. The Executive Summary is here and the full report is here. The recommendations fall in eight categories:
1) End special permits issued by the Director of Employment Standards. There should be one set of rules for every employer, not exceptions for friends and insiders.
2) End the discrimination against workers with disabilities, farm workers, and domestic workers, and include them in basic Employment Standards protections.
3) Get tough on employers who abuse Temporary Foreign Workers, and make sure employers aren't using the TFW Program to drive down wages and working conditions and displace Albertans from jobs
4) Enforce the rules and get tough on employers that try to cheat the system. Recommendations here are tougher fines, more prosecutions, and on-the-spot administrative penalties (ticketing) for employers who break the rules.
5) Fairness for people who work in the restaurant, retail, and hospitality industries by ending illegal deductions, having a clear law on tips, and ending the two-tier minimum wage.
6) Ending the confusion around stat pay and overtime – clean up the language in the legislation and make our laws consistent with the rest of the country.
7) End – don't expand – child labour in Alberta.
8) Recognize we are all juggling work and family by bringing our parental and maternity leave standards up to the standards in the rest of Canada and expanding the number of leaves employees can take without losing job protection.
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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]
Alberta budget based on lies
Government puts itself on “collision course” with workers
Edmonton – Today’s provincial budget is a flawed document designed around false economies and myths about public-sector workers.
During his budget speech, the Finance Minister Doug Horner argued that public-sector wages should be “competitive” with those in the private sector – completely ignoring the fact that Statistics Canada data shows that public-sector wages are statistically indistinguishable.
“As a result of this approach to budgeting, the government is putting itself on a collision course with workers,” AFL president Gil McGowan said. “Public-sector workers earn on average the same as their counterparts in the private sector. But this government has workers in the crosshairs – whether it’s attacking their pensions or their wages.”
The minister took aim at pension plans during his speech, insinuating that the plans needed drastic changes to keep them as defined-benefit plans – completely ignoring the fact that independent actuaries have confirmed that the unfunded liabilities of the two largest pension plans, the Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP) and the Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP), are shrinking, and will be paid off by 2025.
“This is a budget based on two big lies, and they’re big lies that are disrespectful to workers in health care, in education, in law enforcement and in every part of the public service,” McGowan said. “The facts are that public-sector worker compensation is on par with the private sector, and their pensions are modest, sustainable and stable.”
The budget, which includes plenty of spending on capital projects, does not have much allocated to maintaining the services that Albertans value. The Minister proudly trumpets how they’re ‘holding the line,’ on public-sector wages, ignoring how much those wages have been falling behind inflation. By comparison, wages in the private sector are going up on average three to five per cent each year.
“I’m concerned because this is a burning-bridges budget. It’s a budget that sets the stage for tension with labour, it sets the stage for employees looking for jobs elsewhere, and it sets the stage for costly court battles,” McGowan said.
“I might say that it sets the stage for labour strife, but they’ve made it illegal for me to suggest such a thing.”
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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]
Alberta Public-sector wages are “statistically indistinguishable” from private sector
U of T study busts myth that public-sector wages out-of-line with the private sector
Edmonton - Alberta’s public-sector workers are paid, on average, the same as their private-sector counterparts, according to data compiled by the University of Toronto (U of T) and released today by the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL).
“This study should silence the critics who continuously repeat the falsehood that Alberta’s public sector workers are overpaid,” AFL president Gil McGowan said.
The University of Toronto’s Institute for Competitiveness & Prosperity found that Alberta public-sector wages are on-par with private sector wages across the spectrum of comparable occupations.
“For years, public-sector workers have had to endure snipes that they’re overpaid and greedy, but this is simply not true,” McGowan said. “Public sector employees work hard for their money and provide services that are key to the health and prosperity of our province. It’s time to put all of these politically-motivated, negative stereotypes to bed.”
Using data from Statistics Canada, researchers found that people working in occupations at the lower-end of the wage scale, such as clerical and childcare workers, enjoy higher wages in the public sector than they would if they worked in the private sector. However, the reverse is true for higher-wage jobs, such as those in management, engineering, science and the skilled trades.
When these differences are averaged out across the public sector the U of T study concluded that the average wages paid in Alberta’s public and private sectors are “statistically indistinguishable.”
AFL Backgrounder: Public-sector Wages
-30-MEDIA CONTACT:
Olav Rokne, Communications Director, Alberta Federation of Labour at 780.289.6528 (cell)
or via e-mail [email protected]
Yet another group of Canadian Tradesworkers displaced by low-cost TFWs on Oil Sands construction site
Employers are becoming emboldened as Harper Government continues to turn a blind eye to abuse of TFW program
Edmonton – The time has come for Canadian construction workers to express their outrage at the Harper Government’s temporary foreign worker program (TFWP), which is being increasingly used by employers to displace Canadians and replace them with vulnerable and exploitable foreign workers, says Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan.
“The construction industry in Northern Alberta generates some of the best jobs in Canada,” McGowan said. “But increasingly – instead of being filled by Canadians – those jobs are being given to temporary foreign workers earning as little as half the prevailing wage. Stephen Harper says he won’t tolerate abuse of the TFW program but the reality is that employers are simply using the program the way it was designed to be used and that is to undercut Canadians. When it comes to the TFWP, Stephen Harper is the walking, talking definition of hypocrisy.”
McGowan’s comments came in response to news that 65 Canadian ironworkers, working for a Alberta-based company called Pacer Promec Joint Venture on Imperial Oil’s Kearle Lake oil sands project, were laid off on Tuesday, Feb. 4, and replaced by TFWs from Croatia who are being paid only $18 / hour – less than half the prevailing wage earned by Canadians doing the same work.
McGowan will be available for comment in Calgary at 2:15 p.m. at the Air Canada departure level. Reporters interested in talking with the ironworkers who were displaced can contact Ironworkers Local 720 Business Manager Harry Tostowaryk at 780-482-0720.
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Gil McGowan, President, Alberta Federation of Labour at 780.218.9888 (cell)
Olav Rokne, Communications Director, Alberta Federation of Labour at 780.289.6528 (cell)
or via e-mail [email protected]
The two faces of Premier Redford
Generosity for an overpaid inner circle while freezing workers' wages
Edmonton – Premier Alison Redford offered a fierce — and disingenuous — defense of high salaries for her inner circle today.
In response to questions about high salaries being paid to her chief of staff and inner circle of advisors, the Premier claimed that compensation of public sector workers in Alberta was high in general.
At the press conference in Okotoks, the premier said: "In all of our labour negotiations we continue to provide increases to public servants." A statement that is blatantly false given that just two months ago, the legislature passed Bill 46, which imposes a wage freeze on tens of thousands of government workers.
"It seems like Alison Redford is always willing to stand up for the wealthy, and is always willing to make claims that she's on the side of working people," Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan said. "But the proof is in the pudding — wage freezes, gag orders, and pension cuts are the facts that frontline workers face."
The average government wage may be higher than the average wage for workers – but as Albertans have found out this week, that average is skewed by extremely high pay for people in the premier's inner circle.
"The premier tried to suggest today that the province is paying public sector workers well. But the facts show that outside of her inner circle, that isn't the case," McGowan said.
The latest reliable Census data available — a survey of more than 92,000 public-sector workers — shows that the average government workers' wages are two per cent lower than in the private sector.
Other evidence supports this. Statistics Canada's shows that Alberta's civil servants earn an average $1,283.65 a week in November 2013, down from the previous period. The wages of workers in several other sectors' are higher, such as those in construction and utilities.
"It is important to make sure that we have high quality people who can provide effective support and services to the government of Alberta and the people of Alberta and we're not going to shy away from that," the Premier said.
"Redford says that workers deserve to be compensated, but her words are in conflict with her actions," McGowan said. "Premier Redford has undermined collective bargaining with Bill 46. At the same time, she's given massive and unjustifiable wages and wage increases to her inner-circle of political staff."
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Gil McGowan, President, Alberta Federation of Labour at 780.218.9888 (cell)
Olav Rokne, Communications Director, Alberta Federation of Labour at 780.289.6528 (cell) or via e-mail [email protected]
URGENT ACTION ALERT-UPDATE: Fill the Legislature Gallery in opposition to Bill 45 and 46!
Action Request: Fill the Legislature Gallery in opposition to Bill 45 and 46!
When: TONIGHT
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
7:30 p.m.
*Seating provided on a first-come, first-serve basis
Where: Alberta Legislature Gallery
4th Floor, Legislature Building
(10800 - 97 Avenue NW, Edmonton)
Update:
Both Bill 45 and Bill 46 are up for third reading today. One of the two labour bills may pass after Question Period, before the 7:30 p.m. evening session. We expect the second bill will pass during the evening session, possibly around 10:00 p.m.
There are a number of bills on the slate to be debated today, and the government is not providing any clues on whether it will be bill 45 or 46 that is dealt with first.
Being present in the Legislature gallery this evening remains an important act of presence as government tries to bully and legislate us into silence.
For more information, please contact Ishani Weera, AFL Organizer at 780.483.3021 or [email protected]
For more information on the bills, please view our FAQ: http://www.afl.org/index.php/Reports/frequently-asked-questions-on-bills-45-and-46.html
Unions urge Redford to suspend debate on Bills 45 and 46 to avoid a “generation of poisoned labour relations”
AFL and unions next in line for bargaining say a task force on public-sector labour relations is needed to rebuild trust
Edmonton – The leaders of the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) and three of the unions that are next in line to negotiate with the provincial government have asked Premier Redford to suspend debate on Bills 45 and 46 in order to avoid a "generation of poisoned labour relations" in the public sector.
In a letter sent to the premier this morning, the presidents of the AFL, the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA), the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) called on Premier Redford to reconsider Bills 45 and 46 because the unions believe they are “ill-considered, uncalled for, unnecessarily provocative and likely unconstitutional.”
The presidents suggested that, if debate on Bills 45 and 46 is suspended, a special task force on public-sector labour relations could be established to discuss issues of concerns to both sides.
“The government is concerned about controlling costs and avoiding labour disruptions,” AFL president Gil McGowan said. “We’re concerned about under-staffing, attacks on pensions and a broken revenue system that is unnecessarily impoverishing public services in an otherwise wealthy province. Surely, we can address these issues respectfully without launching a war against public sector workers.”
The presidents who signed the letter include Gil McGowan from the AFL, Heather Smith from UNA, Elisabeth Ballermann from HSAA and Marle Roberts from CUPE. They are asking for a meeting with the Premier today.
“Civilized negotiation is always preferable to confrontation,” McGowan said. “We stand ready to meet with the Premier today. But, if the government rams Bills 45 and 46 through, we’ll see that as a clear message from the premier about what kind of labour relations climate she wants to create in this province. Let’s hope that she chooses civility over confrontation.”
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Olav Rokne, Communications Director, Alberta Federation of Labour at 780.289.6528 (cell) or via e-mail [email protected]
URGENT ACTION ALERT: Fill the Legislature Gallery in opposition to Bill 45 and 46
Action Request: Fill the Legislature Gallery in opposition to Bill 45 and 46!
When: TONIGHT
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
7:30 p.m.
Where: Alberta Legislature Gallery
4th Floor, Legislature Building
(10800 - 97 Avenue NW, Edmonton)
Issue:
Tonight will likely be our last chance to take a united stand in the legislature gallery against anti-union bills 45 and 46. Both bills passed second reading yesterday evening and will be debated in the legislature tonight.
We expect that the PC government will use its majority to force the bills through tomorrow. This is our opportunity to fill the legislature gallery and mark our presence in opposition to these bills. Seats are available on a first come, first serve basis. Please arrive at the legislature building for 7:30 p.m. and proceed to the 4th floor gallery security desk to get your seat.
About the Bills:
Bill 45, or the “Public Sector Services Continuation Act,” infringes on protected rights, such as the right to freely associate and free speech. Under the bill any person could be fined $500 for making a “strike threat” anywhere, any time.
Bill 46, or the “Public Service Salary Restraint Act” would impose a legislated wage freeze on Alberta’s public sector workers. An imposed “wage freeze” would actually amount to a wage rollback as public sector workers stand to lose at least 6.1 per cent of their pay cheques to inflation. This legislation is not only uncalled for and unfair, it's likely unconstitutional.
For more background information on the bills, take a look at our FAQ: http://www.afl.org/index.php/Reports/frequently-asked-questions-on-bills-45-and-46.html
For more information, please contact Ishani Weera, AFL Organizer at 780.483.3021 or [email protected]