OTTAWA – The Liberal government has set up a showdown with the Senate over whether workers should be required to unionize through a secret ballot.
Labour Minister Patty Hajdu told the Commons yesterday that the government won’t agree to changes to a bill that requires workers to sign unionization cards instead of holding a secret ballot in order to certify a bargaining unit.
Get breaking National news
Hajdu says the changes are needed to repair the damage done to labour relations and the union movement.
READ MORE: LCBO workers deliver overwhelming strike vote
The Liberal stance outraged Conservative MPs who accused the Liberals of acting like “tin-pot dictators” in rejecting the idea of a secret ballot.
- Riders will honour crash victim Bhishma Rajyaguru
- Calgary city council debates proposed exemptions from citywide rezoning repeal
- How hot is too hot to work? Report calls for heat protections for B.C. workers
- Police investigate suspected hate crime after fake severed hand left at Montreal Islamic centre
Hajdu, however, rejected Tory claims the Liberals are pandering to the labour movement.
READ MORE: Retirees working longer as young Canadians struggle to find jobs
Traditionally, the Senate would hold its nose and agree to the will of the Commons, even if MPs disagreed with senators.
But it’s unclear whether the Senate will follow tradition as it becomes more independent.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.