Conservatives' anti-union bills repealed

Yesterday evening, Parliament passed C-4, a bill that repeals two private member´s bills passed under the Conservative government, restoring rules around certification and decertification of unions. This bill removes unreasonable reporting rules and will make it easier for workers in federally-regulated environments to unionize.

The Senate tried to amend the law to retain a requirement that unions be formed by secret ballot vote, but the government rejected the amendment, favouring the “card check” system, which requires a simple majority of workers to join by signature. The upper chamber acquiesced. Bill C-4 will come into force on Friday, June 23rd 2017.

Now that Bill C-4 has passed, we ask Parliament to focus on passing Bill C-34, which will restore the choice of process of dispute resolution including those involving essential services, arbitration, conciliation and alternative dispute resolution.

We look forward to working with the government to improve working conditions for all Crown counsel across Canada.