NEW LABOUR LEGISLATION CREATES A FAIR AND BALANCED ENVIRONMENT FOR WORKERS, UNIONS AND EMPLOYERS

Released on December 19, 2007

Saskatchewan's new government fulfilled a promise to ensure a fair and balanced labour environment that will contribute to economic growth and security.

That was the message today from Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris as he introduced The Public Service Essential Services Act and amendments to The Trade Union Act.

"We are committed to building a labour environment that respects the rights of workers, unions and employers while being competitive with other Canadian jurisdictions," Norris said. "Both pieces of legislation introduced today will help to provide a secure and prosperous future for the people of our province."

The Public Service Essential Services Act will:

• Balance the rights of workers with the need to maintain essential services to ensure public safety;
• Provide for essential services negotiations to begin where they do not currently exist, 90 days before the expiry of the collective bargaining agreement;
• Ensure that essential services of public employers are in place during a labour dispute to prevent:
  • Danger to life, health or safety;
  • The destruction or serious deterioration of machinery, equipment or premises;
  • Serious environmental damage; and
  • Disruption of the courts.
• Cover public employers whose services are essential, consisting of the government, Crown Corporations, universities and SIAST, health employers and municipalities. Government essential services will be outlined in regulations, to be passed at a later date; and
• Continue to respect the right of unions to strike.

The Trade Union Act Amendments include:

• Requiring 45 per cent written support for an application of certification or decertification;
• Mandatory secret ballot certification or decertification vote;
• Permitting the employer to communicate with employees respecting facts and the employer's views;
• Repealing the three-year limitation on the length of a collective agreement;
• Requiring the Labour Relations Board to issue a decision within six months following a hearing. If the decision is not issued in that time, either party can apply to the court for an order requiring the board to issue its decision; and
• Requiring the Board to submit an annual report containing details of the cases heard, the time between filing of the application and the hearing, the time between the hearing and issuing the decision.

"Letters inviting feedback from key stakeholders will be sent out at the beginning of January," Norris said. "The public can also get involved by emailing or mailing their comments. I look forward to getting the feedback in the coming weeks."

Feedback on the legislation can be provided by email to legislationfeedback@lab.gov.sk.ca or in writing to the following mailing address:

Deputy Minister Wynne Young
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
11th Floor, 1945 Hamilton Street
Regina, SK, S4P 2C8
www.labour.gov.sk.ca

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For more information, contact:

Herman Hulshof
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
Regina
Phone: 306-787-9715
Email: herman.hulshof@gov.sk.ca