Comment 32732

By grassroots are the way forward (registered) | Posted August 10, 2009 at 14:46:00

Ben writes: Why are unions seen as the only viable solution for abused workers? Shouldn't our government be held accountable for upholding workers rights?

So if Walmart as an multi-national organization has the ability to influence policy that may not be in the best interests of the people/workers, what is the answer?

Since you openly admit to your political leanings, I ask you the question, was it in the peoples/workers best interests when the provincial government's(Harris) intent was to let employers and employees sort out issues pertaining to health and safety?

Under section 43 (3) (a) (b) (c) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act define the rules for work refusal for those workers that are not defined under section 43 (2)(a) (b) (c) (d)

Under section 50 (1) (a) (b) (c) (d), reprisals by employer prohibited

So for those workers that not covered under collective bargaining, can and are intimidated to believe that they will lose their employment if they file a complaint under the act. And even if a worker files a complaint under both sections 43 and 50 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, there is nothing under Employment Standards to protect the worker from being dismissed at a later date, as the company would deem them to be a instigator, troublemaker.

I draw your attention to an article in The Hamilton Spectator, October 24, 2001, "Workers scared of losing jobs didn't report safety fears" and to the article posted in the St Catherines Tribune, October 30 2001, entitled "Missed Chance", as in the second article one can see the words from the Inspections Director of the Ministry of Labour, this was the stance of the government and to be honest not much has changed, considering the explosion that happened last summer at the Sunshine Propane location in which a worker died.

The more things change, the more they remain the same!

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