Anti-scab Legislation

2007/03/18

Source: Canadian Labour Congress
Published: March 17th 2007

Having passed the important vote at Second Reading on October 25, 2006, Bill C-257 has now passed the Parliamentary Committee stage on February 15, 2007.

The Standing Committee on Human Resources Social Development (HUMA) heard from 13 unions and 32 employers and various technical experts. The Committee heard lots of unsubstantiated, unsupported and untrue statements by big business speakers. The CLC had representatives in those hearings recording their comments. In the end, a coalition of Liberals, New Democrats and Block Québecois MPs voted 7-4 against the Conservatives to move an amended Bill C-257 to Third Reading.

As amended, Bill C-257 protects the integrity of essential services of the Canada Labour Code. (Section 87.4). The amendments refer the Bill to the process of maintenance of services under the Canada Labour Code.

Bill C-257 was introduced to Parliament for 3rd Reading on February 21, 2007. It will require 2 hours of debate before receiving a vote in Parliament. If successful it will go to the Senate.

Bill C-257 is close to becoming law. The success of getting this done will depend on thousands of labour activists contacting their Members of Parliament and asking them to continue supporting this legislation. You can visit, phone, write or even Fax your MP.

Anti-scab bill back for its third reading.

Bill C-257 is now back in the House of Commons for debate on the Committee Report and a final vote at Third Reading.

A strong majority of MPs supported the bill last October because they agreed that ending the practice of using replacement workers during labour disputes would provide the balance required to bring better labour relations. They also supported it because so many of their constituents asked them to. Send this fax to your MP asking them to continue supporting Bill C-257.