My Speeches

Bill 26: Labour Relations Ammendment Act

Posted on Oct 11, 2008

The hon. Member for Battle River-Wainwright.

Mr. Griffiths: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my pleasure today to
rise to speak to Bill 26, the Labour Relations Amendment Act. In
short, this legislation makes sense for Alberta. It makes sense to put
the health and safety of Albertans first. It makes sense to protect
workers from practices that disrupt and create animosity in the
workplace. It makes sense to create a level playing field for
employers in our construction sector. That’s exactly what these
amendments do, that’s what they’ll accomplish, that’s why they’re
necessary, and that’s why they make sense.
It’s true that we’re experiencing a time of relative labour peace in
Alberta. For example, the ambulance sectors in Calgary and
Edmonton respectively have contracts signed for 2009 and 2010.
But, Mr. Speaker, we shouldn’t let the current situation dissuade us
from planning for the future. To put it another way, we all buy
insurance for our homes. It’s not that we necessarily anticipate a
disaster, but we know that the possibility is there and that we had
better be prepared for such a possible occurrence. Given the
possible consequences of a strike or lockout in the ambulance sector
we have to be prepared for the health and safety of all Albertans.
Bringing compulsory arbitration in now will ensure that Albertans
will continue to have timely access to key lifesaving emergency
services. That’s a good example of why this legislation is necessary
and good for Albertans.
Now, I’d like to address some ofthe concerns about the legislation
as it relates to the subjects of salting and MERFing. Let me just
state for the record, Mr. Speaker, that Alberta’s unions will always
play a valuable role in creating safe and fair workplaces for thousands
of Albertans. I recognize their importance, and I know that
almost all of my colleagues recognize their importance. The goal of
this legislation is not to limit or subrogate unions in any way, shape,
or form. If workers want to be represented by a union, that’s their
right, and it’s their decision.
What this legislation will do is ensure that they’re able to make
the decision for themselves as individuals without outside interference
from other workers. In many ways this aligns with the core


June 3, 2008 Alberta Hansard 1167

beliefs of most unions and all Albertans. It gives the power, Mr.
Speaker, to the unions and individual employees. Unions are free to
continue organizing in all the ways they traditionally have, and
workers are free to seek their own representation.
Likewise, restricting market enhancement recovery funds levels
the playing field. Albertans have always understood the value of
competition in the marketplace. MERFs distort this competition by
allowing unionized contractorsto subsidizewagesand undercut bids
from nonunionized contractors. They can pose a real threat to the
bottom lines of nonunionized employers. There are people who
would say: yes, MERFs do give an advantage to union companies,
but isn’t finding your advantage what true competition is all about?
I know many that would say that. However, MERFs do more than
just give someone an edge and strengthen their competition. They
are an opportunity to dramatically, Mr. Speaker – dramatically –
underbid others to a point where they will be forced out of business
altogether, and it’s not fair competition.
And then there’s the way MERFs are collected, Mr. Speaker.
Union members support MERFs through their wages. The new
legislation will protect workers who do not wish to contribute to
MERFs, which is ultimately the worker’s choice. This legislation is
in favour of fair competition and fair workplaces.

5:00
I’m confident most Albertans, union members or not, Mr.
Speaker, wholeheartedly support these ideas. We’ve certainly been
hearing from stakeholders who support these actions, and it’s
important that from time to time and as issues arise, they be
addressed on their own. Given recent changes to governance of the
ambulance services, now is the right time to introduce compulsory
arbitration.Likewise, we’ve consulted with construction stakeholders on the
issues of salting and MERFing in the past. This consultation, Mr.
Speaker, concluded in 2003. Ever since, we’ve continued to hear
from employers and others who are waiting for us to implement this
recommendation and have been waiting since 2003: five years now.
We have proceeded very cautiously on this issue, taking time to
review it carefully and make further refinements to what we were
going to do. With this work completed, we’re now ready to follow
through on what we’ve heard and what we believe is right. In the
future we will want to look at the labour code more broadly at some
point, with input from a wide variety of Albertans. For now we’re
introducing amendments that make sense.
We want to put the health and safety of Albertans first and
foremost. We want to protect workers from practices that disrupt
and create animosity in their workplaces, and we want to create a
level playing field for employers in the construction sector.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity I’ve been given to speak
to Bill 26. I urge all my colleagues in this House to support it.
Thank you very much.