Not so reasonable

So, the Leader-Post thinks that the new labour legislation changes “are not unreasonable” because they aren’t draconian as some feared (Dec. 5 editorial).

Is it reasonable to remove the requirement to transfer union certification and collective agreements when a business successfully bids to provide cafeteria, janitorial or security services in a governmentowned building? Why should the only exception in the province be a self-serving one for the government that’s writing the bill?

The new definition for supervisory employees isn’t reasonable either. Employers will try to exclude from the union anyone who makes the most minor decisions. And when they get word a certification drive is on, they can appoint five new supervisors.

Allowing a last-offer vote to occur anytime after notice to bargain has been given means employers can call every offer they make, including the first, a final offer and demand a vote. And the minister can now intervene and order a vote, too.

It’s about time they indexed the minimum wage, but why must each increase be approved by cabinet? No other inflationary increase in regular payments to individuals, whether provincial or federal (like CPP and Old Age Security) need such approval. This will just become a political football as the chamber of commerce and CFIB will urge rejection of a larger-than-normal increase when inflation is high, when minimum-wage workers need it most.

There are some good changes in the bill, but some raise concerns and make regulation writing even more crucial.

William Allan, Regina