Thoughts on back-to-work legislation: When right-wing governments demand back-to-work legislation, whose interests are they looking out for? Seriously, do Liberals and Conservatives think back-to-work solves the outstanding issues? #canlab
Today, the conservatives in #skpoli demanded back-to-work legislation. So did conservatives in Quebec. And conservatives in Ottawa. Liberals in Ontario and Nova Scotia and BC have used BTWL in the same manner.
Often when govs, legislate workers back to work the issues fester. Liberal and Conservative answers? Impose some sort of arbitration. Harper used final offer selection, which means that the arbitrator has to pick which sides final offer was the most workable
It will shock you (I know) that Harper’s arbitrator sided with employers every time.
But nonetheless, when it goes to arbitration it is out of the hands of the workers. Yes, sometimes unions are hoping for a better deal in arbitration. But that isn’t the point. The point is that workers’ collective action is THE most important tool have to challenge employers.
So why take that away from them? Well, Conservatives and Liberals clearly fear that power. These arguments that there is larger concern for the economy are only true in as much when you default to “the economy” you’re basically saying that workers don’t matter. Employers do.
And that is some seriously terrible. Workers should be at the centre of the question. But often they are not. That is disappointing. #canlab
