Welcoming Union Competition in Saskatchewan

DATE: March 26, 2012

Saskatoon—Terry Parker’s assertion in the Journal of Commerce that CLAC is an employer-dominated union was explicitly rejected by both the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board and the Saskatchewan Court of Queen’s Bench.

The fact is that CLAC is a bona fide, all-Canadian labour union representing 50,000 workers from across the country. It has been certified over 2,000 times in its 60-year history by labour boards in numerous jurisdictions.

Parker further asserts that “employees had the right to choose between union and non-union employers before [Bill 80].” What he fails to mention is that construction workers’ union “choice” was limited to a union affiliated with the Saskatchewan Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council according to their craft. Some choice. Not a single Canadian-based union had the right to represent construction workers in the province until Bill 80 eliminated this outrageous affront to freedom.

Once Bill 80 became law, SPBCTC-affiliated unions lost their legislated monopoly on unionized construction workers in Saskatchewan. Now, they have to go out and compete for the hearts and minds of workers. CLAC welcomes union competition as being in the best interests of all workers and union members. So should Parker and the SPBCTC.

Dennis Perrin, CLAC Prairies Director