Bill 80

On March 8 the Spring Session of Saskatchewan Legislature started, so did the opposition to Bill 80 from the SFL and the BTU. They are aggressively running a “Say No to Bill 80” campaign on TV, radio, billboards and the web. So what is the big deal with Bill 80?

It is a big deal and a good one!!!! Bill 80 will allow construction workers from Saskatchewan to work in their home province. Currently, CLAC has 1300 members from Saskatchewan working outside their province who would prefer to work at home. The SFL would have you believe that Bill 80 will take jobs away from the people of Saskatchewan. That simply is not true.

For Saskatchewan resident Jeremy Wright Bill 80 is good news. “Bill 80 will help me out, even if I don’t get to work in Saskatchewan, it means more work will be opened up to more people. I’ll be able to stay busy as an experienced operator in Saskatchewan, Alberta or elsewhere if necessary. But I hope more of it can be worked at home. Who doesn’t want to sleep in their own bed at night?”

Bill 80 will also allow workers to choose which Union they would like to represent them. This is a fundamental right of all workers (called freedom of association) – one that the construction sector in Saskatchewan has been denied. When Bill 80 passes construction workers across the province will be able to choose what style of union representation they want: modern, responsive and progressive or old, adversarial and traditional.

Bill 80 is a big deal and is good for Saskatchewan. Say Yes to Saskatchewan, Say Yes to Bill 80.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------

The Rally that Wasn’t

On May 7, 2010, the Saskatchewan Building and Construction Trades Council (SBCTC) held its widely publicized rally against CLAC and Bill 80 in front of CLAC’s Saskatoon office. On all accounts the rally was a non-event, and the SBCTC accomplished nothing—other than annoying our fellow tenants.

The rally began with the protesters picketing the wrong office. After plastering stickers on the wrong office windows, they quickly retreated to the street, realizing that they weren’t really sure just where the CLAC office was. Other than the odd anti-CLAC t-shirt and one sign that read “CLAC is Whack,” the main focus of the rally turned out to be about Bill 80 and the Saskatchewan Party.

The rally attracted a fair number of members, but considering the amount of dues money spent to promote the event it was a poor turnout. SBCTC members should ask themselves two questions. How much of their money has been spent on anti-Bill 80 efforts? How much of their money has been spent providing quality representation to their membership?

Frustration began to mount among protesters when it was clear that the media had decided the rally wasn’t a newsworthy event. Tensions were evident as arguments arose within the ranks of protesters.

What is the SBCTC truly afraid of? Bill 80 will open the doors for construction workers in this province to enjoy the same rights as workers across Canada. Freedom of choice—the time has come.