CANADIAN LABOUR-SASKATCHEWAN:

SFL FILES CHARTER CHALLENGE AGAINST SASKATCHEWAN GOVERNMENT:

Ah yes, the new Saskatchewan Party (read conservative) government of the province of Saskatchewan lost little time in getting to work to erode workers' rights in Molly's old home province. But they have been challenged by the workers of that province, through protests and now through a court challenge claiming that Bills 5 and 6 violate Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms by denying free collective bargaining and the right to form unions. For more background see the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour website. Here's their press release.

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News Release
SFL Files Charter Challenge of Bills 5 and 6
for immediate release July 29th, 2008
Today the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) filed a Statement of Claim with
the Court of Queen’s Bench, launching a constitutional challenge of Bills 5 and 6.

The Bills were passed in the spring session of the legislature amid protest from workers
and their unions across the province. Union leaders argued that Bills 5 and 6 violate
workers’ rights to free collective bargaining and to organize new unions.

The SFL has campaigned against Bills 5 and 6 to demonstrate to the government the
damaging effects of its labour legislative agenda. Under the legal arm of the campaign,
the SFL will now argue in court that the Bills violate workers’ freedoms under the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The unions will similarly argue that the Bills violate international laws that protect
workers’ rights.

“Bills 5 and 6 reverse a sixty-five year history in our province of recognizing and
expanding workers’ right to organize in order to secure safe working conditions and
decent wages and benefits. The government cannot justify this rolling back of workers’
rights,” said SFL President Larry Hubich.

“In a world where corporate profits soar and income gaps and wage inequality are
widening at an alarming rate, workers need now more than ever the ability to collectively
bargain and to join unions. The labour movement is clear: we have no choice but to
stand up for workers and to defend their right to free collective bargaining,” added
Hubich.

The unions are asking the court to strike down Bills 5 and 6.

As of July 29th, eighteen unions have added their names as co-plaintiffs.

The SFL represents nearly 95,000 unionized workers from 37 affiliated unions in
Saskatchewan.
For more information contact Larry Hubich at 537-7330 or Cara Banks at 533-3423.