N.S. unions granted status in Bill 148 court challenge
HALIFAX, Jan. 19, 2018 /CNW/ - Unifor is among seven unions granted leave to intervene in a constitutional challenge of Nova Scotia's Bill 148.
"The Nova Scotia wage restraint legislation hurts workers, many of them are women earning modest wages between $14 and $17 an hour. This law is a blatant attack on collective bargaining rights, unions and workers," said Lana Payne, Atlantic Regional Director.
The Nova Scotia Court of appeal issued an order today that will allow Unifor, NSNU, CUPE, NSGEU, SEIU, NSTU and CUPW to make oral and written arguments that the Public Services Sustainability Act violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Along with these unions the Manitoba's Attorney general was also granted status in the case as the Tory government is imposing similar wage freezes on its workers.
The province proclaimed Bill 148 before the judicial review, imposed a wage package on all civil servants, health care workers and any many other unionized workers whom have yet to reach a new contract agreement. There are 4,800 Unifor members, primarily in acute and long-term care facilities.
"Stephen McNeil's anti-worker liberals have shown yet again they are incapable of bargaining, and would rather attack hard working Nova Scotians rather than treat workers fairly," said Payne.
Unifor will continue to mobilize and campaign against this attack and abuse of legislation in communities and workplaces across the province.
Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.
SOURCE Unifor
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