Federal Replacement Worker Legislation

With support from the NDP, Federal Minister of Labour Seamus O’Regan introduced legislation which proposes to ban the use of replacement workers in federally regulated workplaces, such as ports, during a strike or lockout. Bill C-58 would ban employers from using replacement workers to do the work of unionized employees who are on strike or locked out. An exception would apply in situations where there are threats to health and safety, or threats of serious property and environmental damage that could not be managed by the employer’s existing workforce. The bill is part of the Liberal and NDP’s supply-and-confidence arrangement to hold off on an election in the Liberal’s minority government situation. It’s also seen as a wedge move given the Poilievre Conservative’s efforts to win over unionized workers. The Conservatives have not yet made their position on the bill know.