TRURO, NS – CUPE Nova Scotia President Danny Cavanagh says, “The First Contract Arbitration Bill introduced in the legislature today simply brings our province in line with six other provinces and the federal sector.
“The suggestion by opposition parties and groups like the CFIB that this is some kind of ‘job killer’ is quickly proven false by looking at what has happened in those other jurisdictions. These laws did not kill jobs in any way. And businesses did not flock to Nova Scotia when other provinces brought these laws in.”
Says Cavanagh, “I would also remind those who say we don’t have a problem with first contracts in this province that our union has had instances where it took us two and three years to achieve a first collective agreement.
“As for Michelin and the group of 21 large employers who have lined up against this legislation, I would ask them if they think it’s reasonable for a group of workers who have exercised their legal right to join a union to have to wait two or three years to get a first contract,” says Cavanagh.
Cavanagh says, “Quite simply, this Bill is designed to protect workers who choose to join a union and whose employers then refuse to bargain in good faith on a first contract. Most importantly, both sides in a dispute – employers and unions – can apply for the process. It’s there to help both parties.
“This Bill will have absolutely no impact on small businesses, the vast majority of which are not unionized in this province. It will not kill jobs, and, no, the sky won’t fall once it’s passed,” he says.
For more information:
Danny Cavanagh John McCracken
CUPE NS President CUPE Atlantic Communicatins Rep.
(902) 957-0822 (Cell) (902) 455-4180 (o)