August 5, 2010

OPSEU is lobbying to help protect some of Ontario’s most vulnerable workers. Bill 68, also known as the “Open for Business Act’ is an omnibus bill introduced by the McGuinty Liberals which, through Schedule 9 on the Employment Standards Act (ESA), places an unfair burden on Ontario workers and our Employment Standards Officers at the Ministry of Labour through changes to the ESA. The changes, if enacted, would require workers to first confront employers over unpaid or underpaid wages rather than going straight to the Ministry of Labour.

In a letter to MPPs on the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs now reviewing Bill 68, OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas stated that “we cannot support or condone a process where workers are expected to confront their employers leaving themselves open to reprisals and termination of employment. It would be naïve to think that such actions would not occur in what is already a structural imbalance tilted in favour of employers.”

OPSEU has embraced the stellar work done by The Workers’ Action Centre and Parkdale Community Legal Services on necessary changes to Bill 68 and urged MPPs to adopt their recommendations. Their brief clearly outlines many potential pitfalls and calls for “the removal of Schedule 9 from the Act to allow for broader consultations.”

OPSEU is monitoring the ongoing review of this legislation and proposed amendments and will provide updates as the Committee’s work continues.